Apparatus for catalyst performance evaluation for producing hydrogen with carbon materials using thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon and method for catalyst performance evaluation using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a catalyst performance evaluation device for producing hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis and a method for evaluating catalyst performance using the same. In one embodiment, the catalyst performance evaluation device comprises: a reactor in which a catalyst is disposed inside, and a hydrocarbon-containing gas and an inert gas are introduced to undergo a pyrolysis reaction to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product in which a carbon layer is formed on the surface of the catalyst; a heating unit for heating the inside of the reactor; and an exhaust line formed at the top of the reactor for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas; wherein the exhaust line is equipped with a pressure control unit for controlling the pressure inside the reactor, a flow rate measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, and a gas analysis unit for analyzing the components of the hydrogen-containing gas.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a catalyst performance evaluation apparatus for the production of hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis and a catalyst performance evaluation method using the same. Background Technology

[0003] As global energy demand increases due to industrial development and advancements in petrochemical technology, fossil fuels are being depleted at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, the combustion of fossil fuels generates greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are causing serious environmental problems such as global warming. Consequently, research is underway on new energy sources to replace fossil fuels.

[0004] Hydrogen, one of the new energy sources, is attracting attention as a clean fuel because it produces only water without generating carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxides during combustion, and because it can be produced in various ways and converted into electricity or other forms of energy for use.

[0005] These hydrogen production methods include pyrolysis, methane reforming using carbon dioxide and steam, partial oxidation of methane, coal gasification, water splitting, and biomass gasification.

[0006] Here, the hydrogen production technology by methane reforming produces hydrogen through a decomposition process using oxidizing agents such as oxygen (O2) and steam (H2O) of hydrocarbon compounds such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, as shown in (1) and (2) below. However, this hydrogen production process has a major problem in that carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is emitted when the carbon of the hydrocarbon compounds combines with the oxygen of the oxidizing agent.

[0007] (1) Steam methane reforming + Water-gas shift: CH4 + 2H2O → CO2 + 4H2

[0008] (2) Partial Oxidation Reforming + Water Gas Shift: CH4 + 1 / 2O2 + H2O → CO2 + 3H2

[0009] On the other hand, the pyrolysis method is a method of decomposing hydrocarbon compounds using heat and a catalyst without using an oxidizing agent such as oxygen or steam as shown in (3). The pyrolysis of hydrocarbon compounds enables environmentally friendly hydrogen production without the generation of carbon dioxide, and is a technology for producing carbon materials such as solid carbon with high added value from the carbon components of hydrocarbon compounds.

[0010] (3) Hydrogen-carbon production from methane decomposition: CH4→ C + 2H2

[0011] A conventional system for producing hydrogen and carbon materials through the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon compounds includes a reactor in which a hydrocarbon compound reacts with a catalyst to produce hydrogen and carbon products, a separator for separating the produced hydrogen from solid carbon products, a hydrogen purifier for separating the produced hydrogen and unreacted hydrocarbon compounds into high-purity hydrogen, and a carbon purifier for separating solid carbon and a catalyst from the products to produce carbon materials.

[0012] In the hydrogen production method, a carbon product containing hydrogen and solid carbon is produced by reacting a hydrocarbon compound with a catalyst in a high-temperature reactor. The hydrogen mixture, containing gaseous hydrogen and unreacted hydrocarbon compounds, and the carbon product, containing solid carbon and a catalyst, are transferred to a separator (gas-solid separator). The gaseous component separated in the separator is transferred to a hydrogen purifier, where high-purity hydrogen and unreacted hydrocarbon compounds are separated from the hydrogen mixture. The unreacted hydrocarbon compounds can be recirculated to the reactor to be used as a raw material or as fuel to supply reaction heat. Additionally, the carbon product containing solid carbon and a catalyst separated in the separator is transferred to a carbon purifier to be separated into a catalyst and a carbon material; the separated catalyst can be recirculated to the reactor or utilized in various forms through separate processing.

[0013] As the pressure increases, the hydrogen and carbon material production system can reduce costs by decreasing the size of the reactor and unit process for the same production volume, and can reduce the energy consumed by the hydrogen purifier that purifies hydrogen through high-pressure-low-pressure fluctuations, and can produce high-value carbon materials such as graphite, graphene, and carbon nanotubes by increasing the crystallinity of the generated solid carbon, thus requiring the development of a pressurized system.

[0014] Furthermore, for systems producing hydrogen and carbon materials through the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon compounds, catalyst performance is the most critical design factor. Since the system's efficiency, size, and operating conditions can vary depending on the performance of the catalyst used for the thermal decomposition reaction, it is crucial to accurately determine the catalyst's performance.

[0015] Evaluation devices for assessing catalysts for the production of hydrogen and carbon materials through the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon compounds have primarily utilized reactor materials containing metallic components, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, for catalyst evaluation. However, when using these materials, solid carbon is generated on the internal surfaces and piping of the reactor rather than the catalyst during the thermal decomposition reaction. This leads to clogging, causing safety issues such as pressurization and explosions. Furthermore, since the produced carbon material originates from the internal surfaces of the reactor rather than the catalyst, it is difficult to conduct stable catalyst evaluations or accurately determine the effects of the catalyst. Additionally, the performance of catalysts evaluated using reactors containing metallic materials (such as stainless steel and carbon steel) presents a problem where significant errors occur during actual system design.

[0016] The background technology related to the present invention is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2283181 (published July 29, 2021; Title of Invention: Reactor for Catalytic Performance Evaluation). The problem to be solved

[0018] One objective of the present invention is to provide a catalyst performance evaluation device that offers excellent accuracy and reliability in evaluating catalyst performance and deriving design parameters for the production of hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis.

[0019] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a catalyst performance evaluation device capable of preventing side reactions occurring inside a reactor during hydrocarbon thermal decomposition.

[0020] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a catalyst performance evaluation device capable of preventing clogging inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis and preventing reactor explosion during pressurized operation.

[0021] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for evaluating catalyst performance using the catalyst performance evaluation device. means of solving the problem

[0023] One aspect of the present invention relates to a catalyst performance evaluation device for producing hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis. In one embodiment, the catalyst performance evaluation device comprises: a reactor in which a catalyst is disposed inside, and a hydrocarbon-containing gas and an inert gas are introduced to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product with a carbon layer formed on the surface of the catalyst through a pyrolysis reaction; a heating unit for heating the inside of the reactor; and an exhaust line formed at the top of the reactor for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas. The exhaust line is equipped with a pressure regulating unit for regulating the pressure inside the reactor, a flow rate measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, and a gas analysis unit for analyzing the components of the hydrogen-containing gas. The reactor comprises an outer wall comprising a metal material and an inner wall comprising a non-metal material that contacts the inner surface of the outer wall and forms an internal space. The inner wall is equipped with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space. The catalyst is disposed on the separator plate, and the hydrocarbon-containing gas is introduced into the bottom of the reactor to come into contact with the catalyst and undergo a pyrolysis reaction.

[0024] In one embodiment, the catalyst performance evaluation device may further include a gas supply line connected to the bottom of the reactor to introduce a hydrocarbon-containing gas and an inert gas.

[0025] In one embodiment, the catalyst performance evaluation device may further include a preheating unit provided in the gas supply line for heating the hydrocarbon-containing gas and the inert gas.

[0026] In one embodiment, the separator may include a porous non-metallic material or a porous membrane filter.

[0027] In one embodiment, the inner wall comprises: a first inner wall formed in contact with the outer wall and comprising a non-metallic material; and a second inner wall formed in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the first inner wall and comprising a non-metallic material, wherein the second inner wall is provided with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, and the catalyst may be disposed on the separator plate.

[0028] In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon-containing gas may include one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and the inert gas may include one or more of nitrogen, argon, and helium.

[0029] In one embodiment, the catalyst may include one or more of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn).

[0030] In one embodiment, the outer wall of the reactor comprises one or more of aluminum, copper, zinc, and stainless steel, and the inner wall may comprise one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for evaluating catalyst performance using a catalyst performance evaluation device for producing hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis. The method for evaluating catalyst performance using the catalyst performance evaluation device comprises the steps of: introducing an inert gas into a reactor in which a catalyst is placed, and increasing the temperature and pressurizing the inside of the reactor; introducing a hydrocarbon-containing gas into the inside of the reactor and pyrolyzing it to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product having a carbon layer formed on the surface of the catalyst; discharging the hydrogen-containing gas through an exhaust line provided at the top of the separator, wherein the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas and the component analysis are performed by a flow rate measuring unit and a gas analysis unit provided in the exhaust line; and measuring the weight of the carbon product inside the reactor. The method includes the step of deriving a hydrocarbon conversion rate and a carbon production rate, respectively, using the input flow rate of the hydrocarbon-containing gas, the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, component analysis data, and the weight of the carbon product; wherein the reactor comprises an outer wall comprising a metal material and an inner wall comprising a non-metal material that contacts the inner surface of the outer wall and forms an internal space, the inner wall is provided with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, the catalyst is disposed on the separator plate, and the hydrocarbon-containing gas is introduced into the lower part of the reactor and comes into contact with the catalyst to undergo a pyrolysis reaction.

[0032] In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon conversion rate may be derived by including the step of calculating a first hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Formula 1 below and a second hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Formula 2 below, respectively; and the step of comparing the first hydrocarbon conversion rate and the second hydrocarbon conversion rate:

[0033] [Equation 1]

[0034] Hydrocarbon Conversion Rate (%) = ((C1-C2) / C1) X 100

[0035] (In the above Equation 1, C1 is the number of moles of hydrocarbon before the reaction, and C2 is the number of moles of unreacted hydrocarbon in the gas after the reaction)

[0036] [Equation 2]

[0037] Second hydrocarbon conversion rate (%) = ((V2-V1) / V2) X 100

[0038] (In Equation 2 above, V1 is the hydrocarbon gas flow rate before the reaction (sccm), and V2 is the gas flow rate after the reaction (sccm).

[0039] In one embodiment, the carbon production rate may be derived by including the step of deriving a first carbon production rate according to the following Equation 3 and a second carbon production rate according to the following Equation 4, respectively; and the step of comparing the first carbon production rate and the second carbon production rate:

[0040] [Equation 3]

[0041] 1st Carbon Production Rate (%) = ((W2X (M1 / M2)) / W1) X 100

[0042] (In Equation 3 above, W1 is the amount of catalyst added to the reactor (g), W2 is the weight of the reacted hydrocarbon (g), M1 is the molar mass of the hydrocarbon (g / mol), and M2 is the molar mass of the carbon (g / mol).)

[0043] [Equation 4]

[0044] Second carbon production rate (%) = ((W3-W1) / W1) X 100

[0045] (In the above Equation 4, W1 is the amount of catalyst added to the reactor (g), and W3 is the weight of the carbon product (g).

[0046] In one embodiment, the separator may include a porous non-metallic material or a porous membrane filter.

[0047] In one embodiment, the inner wall comprises: a first inner wall formed in contact with the outer wall and comprising a non-metallic material; and a second inner wall formed in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the first inner wall and comprising a non-metallic material, wherein the second inner wall is provided with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, and the catalyst may be disposed on the separator plate.

[0048] In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon-containing gas may include one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and the inert gas may include one or more of nitrogen, argon, and helium.

[0049] In one embodiment, the catalyst may include one or more of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn).

[0050] In one embodiment, the outer wall of the reactor comprises one or more of aluminum, copper, zinc, and stainless steel, and the inner wall may comprise one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic. Effects of the invention

[0052] The catalyst performance evaluation device for the production of hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis according to the present invention offers excellent accuracy and reliability in evaluating catalyst performance and deriving design parameters for the production of hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis. Furthermore, by evaluating catalyst performance using the weight of carbon products formed during the pyrolysis reaction and the hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate derived from the component analysis and flow rate of hydrogen-containing gas, it is possible to predict catalyst performance more accurately. Additionally, it prevents side reactions occurring inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis, prevents clogging inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and prevents reactor explosion during pressurized operation. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a catalyst performance evaluation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a separator plate according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6(a) is a graph of the hydrocarbon conversion rate evaluation results of the comparative example, and Figure 6(b) is a graph of the hydrocarbon conversion rate evaluation results of the example. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0055] In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0056] Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of their functions in the present invention; since these may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator, their definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification describing the present invention.

[0058] Catalyst performance evaluation device for hydrogen and carbon material production using hydrocarbon pyrolysis

[0059] One aspect of the present invention relates to a catalyst performance evaluation apparatus for producing hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis. FIG. 1 shows a catalyst performance evaluation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 above, the catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) comprises: a reactor (100) in which a catalyst (140) is disposed inside, and a hydrocarbon-containing gas and an inert gas are introduced to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product formed on the surface of the catalyst through a pyrolysis reaction; a heating unit (30) for heating the inside of the reactor (100); and an exhaust line (40) formed on the upper part of the reactor (100) for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas.

[0061] In one embodiment, the discharge line (40) is equipped with a pressure regulating unit (42) for regulating the pressure inside the reactor (100), a flow rate measuring unit (44) for measuring the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, and a gas analysis unit (46) for analyzing the components and content of the hydrogen-containing gas. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure regulating unit (42), the flow rate measuring unit (44), and the gas analysis unit (46) may be sequentially provided in the discharge line (40).

[0062] Referring to FIG. 1 above, the catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) may further include a gas supply line (20) connected to the lower part of the reactor (100) to which hydrocarbon-containing gas and inert gas are introduced.

[0063] For example, the catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) further includes a first supply unit (10) to which a hydrocarbon-containing gas is supplied and a second supply unit (12) to which an inert gas is supplied, and the first supply unit (10) and the second supply unit (12) can be connected to a gas supply line (20).

[0064] In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon-containing gas may include one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and the inert gas may include one or more of nitrogen, argon, and helium.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 1 above, the catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) may further include a preheating unit (14) provided in a gas supply line (20) for heating the hydrocarbon-containing gas and the inert gas. In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon-containing gas and the inert gas may be heated in the preheating unit (14) and introduced into the lower part of the reactor (100).

[0066] Referring to FIG. 1 above, the catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) may further include a cooler (32) provided in the discharge line (40) to cool the inside of the reactor (100), a cyclone (34) provided downstream of the cooler (32) to remove fine particles and solid components contained in the hydrogen-containing gas introduced from the reactor, and a filter (36) provided downstream of the cyclone (34) to remove fine particles such as dust contained in the hydrogen-containing gas.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 2 above, the reactor (100) comprises an outer wall (110) containing a metal material and an inner wall (120) containing a non-metal material that contacts the inner surface of the outer wall (110) and forms an internal space, and the inner wall (120) is provided with a breathable separator plate (130) that partitions the internal space. Additionally, a catalyst (140) is placed on the separator plate (130), and a hydrocarbon-containing gas is introduced into the lower part of the reactor (100), and the hydrocarbon-containing gas passes through the breathable separator plate and comes into contact with the catalyst to undergo a pyrolysis reaction. When a reactor with a structure in which the inner surface of the outer wall and the outer surface of the inner wall are in contact with each other with a zero gap is applied as described above, the reactor explosion during pressurized operation can be easily prevented, and the catalyst performance evaluation under pressurized conditions can be easily performed.

[0068] In one embodiment, the outer wall of the reactor comprises one or more of aluminum, copper, zinc, and stainless steel, and the inner wall may comprise one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic. When the outer and inner walls under the above conditions are applied, side reactions occurring inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis are prevented, blockage inside the reactor is prevented during hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and reactor explosion during pressurized operation can be easily prevented.

[0069] In particular, when the inner wall of the above-mentioned non-metallic material is applied, hydrocarbons do not undergo thermal decomposition reactions with components other than the catalyst inside the reactor, and when the above-mentioned outer wall is applied, damage to and decomposition of the inner wall caused by pressurized decomposition reactions or clogging due to carbon deposition is prevented, pressurized operation is easy, and stability can be excellent.

[0070] In one embodiment, the catalyst may include one or more of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn). When the above components are included, the thermal decomposition reaction efficiency of hydrocarbons may be excellent. For example, the catalyst may include oxides of the aforementioned metals.

[0071] In one embodiment, the catalyst may include one or more of zeolite, silica (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), calcium oxide (CaO), titanium oxide (TiO2), and cerium oxide (CeO2) as a support. In one embodiment, the catalyst may include one or more of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) as an active component. When the support and active component under the above conditions are included, the durability of the catalyst and the efficiency of the pyrolysis reaction of hydrocarbons may be excellent.

[0072] In one embodiment, the separator may include a porous non-metallic material or a porous membrane filter. FIG. 3 shows a separator according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the separator (130) may include a non-metallic material having a plurality of pores (A) formed therein, as shown in FIG. 3(a). For example, the pores may be formed to a size smaller than the size of the catalyst.

[0073] In another embodiment, the separator may include a ring-shaped frame (131) as in FIG. 3(b) and a porous membrane filter (132) in contact with the inner surface of the frame (131). For example, the pores formed in the membrane filter may be formed to be smaller than the size of the catalyst.

[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates a reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the reactor (101) may include an outer wall (110) comprising a metal material and an inner wall comprising a non-metal material that forms an internal space in contact with the inner surface of the outer wall (110), wherein the inner wall may include a first inner wall (122) comprising a non-metal material formed in contact with the outer wall (110); and a second inner wall (124) comprising a non-metal material formed in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the first inner wall (122). The second inner wall (124) is provided with a breathable separator (130) that partitions the internal space, and the catalyst may be disposed on the separator (130).

[0075] In one embodiment, the first inner wall and the second inner wall may each comprise one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic. When the first inner wall and the second inner wall under the above conditions are applied, side reactions occurring inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis are prevented, blockage inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis is prevented, and reactor explosion during pressurized operation can be easily prevented.

[0076] FIG. 5 illustrates a reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the reactor (102) comprises an outer wall (110) comprising a metal material and an inner wall comprising a non-metal material that forms an internal space in contact with the inner surface of the outer wall (110). The inner wall comprises a first inner wall (122) comprising a non-metal material formed in contact with the outer wall (110); and a second inner wall (124) formed on the inner surface of the first inner wall (122). The second inner wall (124) is mounted on a protrusion (123) formed on the inner surface of the first inner wall (122). The second inner wall (124) is provided with a breathable separator plate (130) on its lower surface to partition the internal space of the reactor. The second inner wall, excluding the portion where the separator plate (130) is formed, is in contact with the first inner wall (122), and the catalyst may be placed on the separator plate (130).

[0077] In one embodiment, the second inner wall may be formed integrally with the separator plate. In another embodiment, the second inner wall may be separated into an upper and a lower portion based on the portion where the separator plate is formed, but is not limited thereto.

[0078] In one embodiment, the second inner wall may be in the form of a ceramic crucible with a plurality of pores formed on its lower surface. In the performance evaluation of conventional hydrocarbon pyrolysis catalysts, residual carbon must be removed by oxidizing the inside of the reactor at a high temperature after the pyrolysis reaction experiment; however, when a second inner wall in the form of a crucible with an integrally formed dispersion plate as described above is applied, continuous evaluation can be performed without high-temperature oxidation treatment by replacing the second inner wall on which the catalyst is placed after the pyrolysis reaction.

[0080] Catalyst performance evaluation method using a catalyst performance evaluation device for the production of hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis

[0081] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for evaluating catalyst performance using a catalyst performance evaluation device for producing hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis.

[0082] In one embodiment, a method for evaluating catalyst performance using the catalyst performance evaluation device comprises: (S10) a step of heating and pressurizing a reactor; (S20) a pyrolysis reaction step; (S30) a step of measuring the flow rate of hydrogen-containing gas and analyzing its components; (S40) a step of measuring the weight of carbon products; and (S50) a step of deriving the hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate.

[0083] More specifically, the catalyst performance evaluation method comprises: (S10) introducing an inert gas into a reactor in which a catalyst is placed, and increasing the temperature and pressurizing the inside of the reactor; (S20) introducing a hydrocarbon-containing gas into the inside of the reactor and thermally decomposing it to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product in which a carbon layer is formed on the surface of the catalyst; (S30) discharging the hydrogen-containing gas through an exhaust line provided at the top of the separator, wherein the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas and the component analysis are performed at a flow rate measuring unit and a gas analysis unit provided at the exhaust line; (S40) measuring the weight of the carbon product inside the reactor; and (S50) deriving the hydrocarbon conversion rate and the carbon production rate, respectively, using analysis data such as the input flow rate of the hydrocarbon-containing gas, the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, components, and weight, and the weight of the carbon product.

[0084] The reactor comprises an outer wall containing a metal material and an inner wall containing a non-metal material that contacts the inner surface of the outer wall and forms an internal space, the inner wall is equipped with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, the catalyst is disposed on the separator plate, and the hydrocarbon-containing gas is introduced into the lower part of the reactor and comes into contact with the catalyst to undergo a pyrolysis reaction.

[0085] Hereinafter, a method for evaluating catalyst performance using the catalyst performance evaluation device for producing hydrogen and carbon materials using the above-mentioned hydrocarbon pyrolysis will be explained in detail step by step.

[0087] (S10) Reactor heating and pressurization step

[0088] The above step involves introducing an inert gas into a reactor in which a catalyst is placed, and raising the temperature and pressurizing the interior of the reactor to a preset temperature and pressure. For example, an inert gas from a second supply unit may be introduced into the lower part of the reactor at a set flow rate through a gas supply line provided at the lower part of the reactor, and the interior of the reactor may be raised and pressurized to a preset temperature and pressure by controlling a pressure regulator provided in the heating unit and the discharge line.

[0089] In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon-containing gas may include one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and the inert gas may include one or more of nitrogen, argon, and helium.

[0090] In one embodiment, the catalyst may include one or more of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn). For example, the catalyst may include oxides of the aforementioned metals.

[0091] In one embodiment, the separator may include a porous non-metallic material or a porous membrane filter.

[0092] In one embodiment, the inner wall comprises: a first inner wall formed in contact with the outer wall and comprising a non-metallic material; and a second inner wall formed in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the first inner wall and comprising a non-metallic material, wherein the second inner wall is provided with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, and the catalyst may be disposed on the separator plate.

[0093] In one embodiment, the outer wall of the reactor comprises one or more of aluminum, copper, zinc, and stainless steel, and the inner wall may comprise one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic.

[0094] In one embodiment, the first inner wall and the second inner wall may each comprise one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic. When the first inner wall and the second inner wall under the above conditions are applied, side reactions occurring inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis are prevented, blockage inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis is prevented, and reactor explosion during pressurized operation can be easily prevented.

[0096] (S20) Pyrolysis reaction step

[0097] The above step involves introducing a hydrocarbon-containing gas into the reactor and thermally decomposing the hydrocarbon-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product in which a carbon layer is formed on the surface of the catalyst. For example, the hydrocarbon-containing gas may be introduced from a first supply unit into the lower part of the reactor at a set flow rate through a gas supply line provided at the lower part of the reactor, and the thermal decomposition reaction may proceed in contact with the catalyst.

[0099] (S30) Hydrogen-containing gas flow rate measurement and component analysis step

[0100] The above step involves discharging a hydrogen-containing gas through a discharge line provided at the top of the separator, and performing flow rate measurement and component analysis of the hydrogen-containing gas in a flow rate measuring unit and a gas analysis unit provided in the discharge line.

[0102] (S40) Step of measuring the weight of carbon products

[0103] The above step is a step of measuring the weight of the carbon product inside the reactor. In one embodiment, the weight of the carbon product can be measured after cooling and depressurizing the inside of the reactor to room temperature and atmospheric pressure. For example, an inert gas can be introduced into the reactor at a preset flow rate, the inside of the reactor can be cooled to room temperature using the cooler, the inside of the reactor can be depressurized to atmospheric pressure using a pressure regulator, and then the carbon product can be collected from the inside of the reactor and its weight measured.

[0105] (S50) Step for deriving hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate

[0106] The above step is to derive the hydrocarbon conversion rate and the carbon production rate, respectively, using the input flow rate of the hydrocarbon-containing gas, the flow rate and component analysis data of the hydrogen-containing gas, and the weight of the carbon product.

[0107] The above hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate are performance indicators of a catalyst for hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactions, and the performance of the catalyst can be evaluated through the above hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate.

[0108] In one embodiment, the hydrocarbon conversion rate may be derived by including the step of calculating a first hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Formula 1 below and a second hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Formula 2 below, respectively; and the step of comparing the first hydrocarbon conversion rate and the second hydrocarbon conversion rate:

[0109] [Equation 1]

[0110] Hydrocarbon Conversion Rate (%) = ((C1-C2) / C1) X 100

[0111] (In the above Equation 1, C1 is the number of moles of hydrocarbon before the reaction, and C2 is the number of moles of unreacted hydrocarbon in the gas after the reaction)

[0112] [Equation 2]

[0113] Second hydrocarbon conversion rate (%) = ((V2-V1) / V2) X 100

[0114] (In the above Equation 2, the above V1 is It is a hydrocarbon gas flow rate (standard cubic centimeter per minute, sccm), and V2 is a hydrogen-containing gas flow rate (sccm).

[0115] In Equation 1 above, C1 is the number of moles of hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing gas before the reaction, and C2 is the number of moles of unreacted hydrocarbon in the hydrogen-containing gas produced after the reaction. Also, in Equation 2 above, V1 is the flow rate of hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing gas before the reaction, and V2 is the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas produced after the reaction.

[0116] When evaluating the hydrocarbon conversion rate by comparing the first hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Equation 1 below with the second hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Equation 2 below, the first hydrocarbon conversion rate value derived through gas analysis such as unreacted hydrocarbons and hydrogen in the hydrogen-containing gas and the second hydrocarbon conversion rate value derived through flow rate measurement of the hydrogen-containing gas can be compared to calculate an accurate value within the error range, thereby allowing for a more accurate prediction of catalyst performance.

[0117] For example, catalyst performance can be predicted by utilizing the fact that the first hydrocarbon conversion rate value of Equation 1 and the second hydrocarbon conversion rate value of Equation 2 are the same.

[0118] In one embodiment, the carbon production rate may be derived by including the step of deriving a first carbon production rate according to the following Equation 3 and a second carbon production rate according to the following Equation 4, respectively; and the step of comparing the first carbon production rate and the second carbon production rate:

[0119] [Equation 3]

[0120] 1st Carbon Production Rate (%) = ((W2X (M1 / M2)) / W1) X 100

[0121] (In Equation 3 above, W1 is the amount of catalyst added to the reactor (g), W2 is the weight of the reacted hydrocarbon (g), M1 is the molar mass of the hydrocarbon (g / mol), and M2 is the molar mass of the carbon (g / mol).)

[0122] [Equation 4]

[0123] Second carbon production rate (%) = ((W3-W1) / W1) X 100

[0124] (In the above Equation 4, W1 is the amount of catalyst added to the reactor (g), and W3 is the weight of the carbon product (g).

[0125] In the above Equation 3, the weight of the reacted hydrocarbon (W2) can be easily derived by a person skilled in the art.

[0126] When evaluating by deriving the first carbon production rate according to Equation 3 and the second carbon production rate according to Equation 4 as described above, the first carbon production rate value derived through gas analysis of the hydrogen-containing gas and the second carbon production rate value derived through the weight of the carbon product generated after the pyrolysis reaction are compared to calculate an accurate value within the error range, thereby allowing for a more accurate prediction of catalyst performance.

[0127] For example, catalyst performance can be predicted by using the fact that the first carbon production rate value of Equation 3 and the second carbon production rate value of Equation 4 are the same.

[0129] Conventionally, the performance of catalysts for hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactions was evaluated using non-metallic materials such as quartz or alumina. However, when pyrolysis reactions were performed using conventional reactors, clogging caused by carbon generation significantly increased the risk of pressure increase or explosion. Furthermore, due to the risk of reactor explosion when pressurized, there was a problem in that catalyst performance evaluation and design parameters could not be derived under pressurized conditions.

[0130] Furthermore, conventional methods for evaluating catalyst performance calculated the hydrocarbon conversion rate by measuring the composition of hydrocarbon compounds in the emitted gas, and the carbon production rate using the measured weight of the carbon products produced after evaluation. However, since conventional technology calculated the hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate—the key performance indicators of the catalyst—using a single method, it suffered from low reliability due to measurement errors.

[0131] Therefore, conventional technology had the problem that it was impossible to develop a pressurized hydrocarbon pyrolysis reaction device, and it was impossible to accurately evaluate the performance of the most critical catalyst and derive design parameters.

[0132] On the other hand, when applying the catalyst performance evaluation device and evaluation method of the present invention, catalyst performance can be evaluated by introducing a dual calculation method using the weight of carbon products formed during the pyrolysis reaction, and the hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate derived from the component analysis and flow rate of hydrogen-containing gas, thereby enabling more accurate prediction of catalyst performance. Furthermore, by preventing side reactions occurring inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis, preventing clogging inside the reactor during hydrocarbon pyrolysis, and preventing reactor explosion during pressurized operation, excellent accuracy and reliability can be achieved when evaluating catalyst performance and deriving design parameters for the production of hydrogen and carbon materials using hydrocarbon pyrolysis.

[0134] Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the present invention will be explained in more detail through preferred embodiments. However, these are presented as preferred examples of the present invention and should not be interpreted in any way as limiting the present invention. Details not described herein can be sufficiently technically inferred by those skilled in the art, so such descriptions will be omitted.

[0136] Examples and Comparative Examples

[0137] Examples

[0138] (1) Preparation of a catalyst performance evaluation device: A catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) as shown in FIG. 1 was prepared. Specifically, the catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) comprises: a reactor (100) in which a catalyst is placed inside, and in which a hydrocarbon-containing gas and an inert gas are introduced to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product in which a carbon layer is formed on the surface of the catalyst through a pyrolysis reaction; and a heating unit (30) for heating the inside of the reactor (100); The apparatus includes an exhaust line (40) formed at the top of the reactor (100) through which the hydrogen-containing gas is discharged, wherein the exhaust line (40) is sequentially equipped with a cooler (32) that cools the inside of the reactor (100), a cyclone (34) provided at the rear end of the cooler (32) to remove fine particles and solid components contained in the hydrogen-containing gas introduced from the reactor, a filter (36) provided at the rear end of the cyclone (34) to remove fine particles such as dust contained in the hydrogen-containing gas, a pressure control unit (42) that controls the pressure inside the reactor (100), a flow rate measuring unit (44) that measures the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, and a gas analysis unit (46) that analyzes the components of the hydrogen-containing gas.

[0139] The catalyst performance evaluation device (1000) is equipped with a first supply unit (10) to which a hydrocarbon-containing gas is supplied, a second supply unit (12) to which an inert gas is supplied, and a gas supply line (20) to which the hydrocarbon-containing gas and the inert gas supplied from the first supply unit (10) and the second supply unit (12) are supplied and flow into the lower part of the reactor (100). The gas supply line (20) is equipped with a preheating unit (14) for heating the hydrocarbon-containing gas and the inert gas.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 4, the reactor (100 or 101) comprises an outer wall (110) made of stainless steel and a first inner wall (122) formed in contact (zero gap) with the inner surface of the outer wall (110) and containing a non-metallic material (quartz), and a second inner wall (124) formed in contact (zero gap) with the inner surface of the first inner wall (122) and containing a non-metallic material (ceramic soluble); wherein the second inner wall (124) is provided with a breathable separator plate (130) made of a non-metallic material (ceramic soluble) that partitions the internal space. A plurality of pores are formed on the surface of the separator plate (130), and the catalyst is disposed on the separator plate.

[0141] (2) Catalytic performance evaluation using a catalyst performance evaluation device: 7g of catalyst (Iron oxide black, Fe3O4) was introduced onto the reactor separator plate of the catalyst performance evaluation device, and then an inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon (Ar)) was introduced into the reactor from the second supply unit at a flow rate of 100 sccm through a gas supply line provided at the bottom of the reactor. Then, the inside of the reactor was heated and pressurized to a set temperature (900℃) and pressure (10 barg) by controlling the heating unit and the pressure control unit.

[0142] Next, a hydrocarbon-containing gas (hydrocarbon and inert gas) was introduced from the first supply unit into the lower part of the reactor through the gas supply line at a flow rate of 100 sccm, and a thermal decomposition reaction was carried out for 5 hours at a temperature of 900°C and a pressure of 10 barg in contact with the catalyst on the separator plate to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product with a carbon layer formed on the surface of the catalyst. Next, the hydrogen-containing gas was discharged through the discharge line provided at the top of the separator, and the flow rate and component analysis of the hydrogen-containing gas were performed using the flow rate measuring unit and the gas analysis unit provided in the discharge line. Next, an inert gas (nitrogen) was introduced into the reactor at a flow rate of 100 sccm, the inside of the reactor was cooled to room temperature using the cooler, and the inside of the reactor was depressurized to atmospheric pressure using the pressure regulating unit. Next, the weight of the carbon product inside the reactor was measured.

[0143] Next, the hydrocarbon conversion rate and carbon production rate were derived, respectively, using the input flow rate of the hydrocarbon-containing gas, the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, component analysis data, and the weight of the carbon product. Specifically, the hydrocarbon conversion rate was derived by including the step of calculating a first hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Equation 1 below and a second hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Equation 2 below, respectively; and the step of comparing the first hydrocarbon conversion rate and the second hydrocarbon conversion rate:

[0144] [Equation 1]

[0145] (In the above Equation 1, C1 is the number of moles of hydrocarbon before the reaction, and C2 is the number of moles of unreacted hydrocarbon in the gas after the reaction)

[0146] [Equation 2]

[0147] Second hydrocarbon conversion rate (%) = ((V2-V1) / V2) X 100

[0148] (In Equation 2 above, V1 is the hydrocarbon gas flow rate before the reaction (sccm), and V2 is the gas flow rate after the reaction (sccm).

[0149] In addition, the above carbon production rate was derived by including the step of deriving a first carbon production rate according to Equation 3 below and a second carbon production rate according to Equation 4 below, respectively; and the step of comparing the first carbon production rate and the second carbon production rate.

[0150] [Equation 3]

[0151] 1st Carbon Production Rate (%) = ((W2X (M1 / M2)) / W1) X 100

[0152] (In Equation 3 above, W1 is the amount of catalyst added to the reactor (g), W2 is the weight of the reacted hydrocarbon (g), M1 is the molar mass of the hydrocarbon (g / mol), and M2 is the molar mass of the carbon (g / mol).)

[0153] [Equation 4]

[0154] Second carbon production rate (%) = ((W3-W1) / W1) X 100

[0155] (In the above Equation 4, W1 is the amount of catalyst added to the reactor (g), and W3 is the weight of the carbon product (g).

[0157] Comparative example

[0158] A catalyst performance evaluation device was manufactured in the same manner as in the example, except that a reactor and a breathable separator made of quartz material were applied.

[0159] Fig. 6(a) is a graph showing the evaluation results of the hydrocarbon conversion rate of the comparative example, and Fig. 6(b) is a graph showing the evaluation results of the hydrocarbon conversion rate of the example. In Fig. 6(a), the red line represents temperature: 900℃, catalyst input amount: approx. 7.5g, hydrocarbon-containing gas flow rate: CH4 approx. 100ccm), and WHSV: 800mL / g cat·The conditions are 0hr, and the black line is temperature: 900℃, catalyst input amount: approx. 15g, hydrocarbon-containing gas flow rate: CH4 approx. 400ccm, WHSV: 1,600mL / g cat· 0hr, and the blue line is: Temperature: 900℃, Catalyst input amount: approx. 7.5g, Hydrocarbon-containing gas flow rate: CH4 approx. 100ccm, WHSV: 800mL / g cat· It was ohr. Also, in Fig. 6(b), the red line indicates temperature: 900℃, catalyst input amount: approximately 10g, hydrocarbon-containing gas flow rate: CH4 approximately 70ccm, WHSV: 580mL / g cat· 0hr, and the black line is temperature: 900℃, catalyst input amount: approx. 10g, hydrocarbon-containing gas flow rate: CH4 approx. 90ccm, WHSV: 750mL / g cat· It was οhr.

[0160] Referring to Figure 6 above, it was found that in the case of the comparative example, when evaluating catalyst performance by pressurizing the inside of the reactor, carbon was deposited inside the reactor and on the piping, causing the reactor to explode, and thus catalyst performance evaluation could not be performed under pressurized conditions.

[0162] The present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of equivalents should be interpreted as being included in the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0164] 10: 1st supply unit 12: 2nd supply unit 14: Preheating section 20: Gas supply line 30: Heating unit 32: Cooler 34: Cyclone 36: Filter 40: Discharge line 42: Pressure regulator 44: Flow rate measurement unit 46: Gas analysis unit 100, 101, 102: Reactor 110: Outer wall 120: Inner wall 122: First inner wall 124: Second inner wall 130: Separator 131: Frame 132: Membrane 140: Catalyst 1000: Catalyst performance evaluation device

Claims

Claim 1 A catalyst performance evaluation device comprising: a reactor in which a catalyst is disposed inside, and a hydrocarbon-containing gas and an inert gas are introduced to undergo a thermal decomposition reaction to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product in which a carbon layer is formed on the surface of the catalyst; a heating unit for heating the inside of the reactor; and an exhaust line formed at the top of the reactor for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas; wherein the exhaust line is equipped with a pressure regulating unit for regulating the pressure inside the reactor, a flow rate measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, and a gas analysis unit for analyzing the components of the hydrogen-containing gas; wherein the reactor comprises an outer wall comprising a metal material and an inner wall comprising a non-metal material that contacts the inner surface of the outer wall and forms an internal space, wherein the inner wall is equipped with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, wherein the catalyst is disposed on the separator plate, and wherein the hydrocarbon-containing gas is introduced into the bottom of the reactor to come into contact with the catalyst and undergo a thermal decomposition reaction. Claim 2 A catalyst performance evaluation device according to claim 1, further comprising a gas supply line connected to the lower part of the reactor to introduce hydrocarbon-containing gas and inert gas. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the catalyst performance evaluation device further comprises a preheating unit provided in the gas supply line for heating the hydrocarbon-containing gas and the inert gas. Claim 4 A catalyst performance evaluation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the separator plate comprises a porous non-metallic material or a porous membrane filter. Claim 5 A catalyst performance evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall comprises: a first inner wall formed in contact with the outer wall and comprising a non-metallic material; and a second inner wall formed in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the first inner wall and comprising a non-metallic material, wherein the second inner wall is provided with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, and the catalyst is disposed on the separator plate. Claim 6 A catalyst performance evaluation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrocarbon-containing gas comprises one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and the inert gas comprises one or more of nitrogen, argon, and helium. Claim 7 A catalyst performance evaluation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catalyst comprises one or more of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn). Claim 8 A catalyst performance evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the reactor comprises one or more of aluminum, copper, zinc, and stainless steel, and the inner wall comprises one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic. Claim 9 A method for evaluating catalyst performance using a catalyst performance evaluation device of claim 1, wherein the catalyst performance evaluation method comprises the steps of: introducing an inert gas into a reactor in which a catalyst is placed, and raising the temperature and pressurizing the inside of the reactor; introducing a hydrocarbon-containing gas into the inside of the reactor and thermally decomposing it to produce a hydrogen-containing gas and a carbon product having a carbon layer formed on the surface of the catalyst; discharging the hydrogen-containing gas through an exhaust line provided at the top of the reactor, wherein the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas and the component analysis are performed by a flow rate measuring unit and a gas analysis unit provided in the exhaust line; and measuring the weight of the carbon product inside the reactor. A method for evaluating catalyst performance, comprising the step of deriving a hydrocarbon conversion rate and a carbon production rate, respectively, using the input flow rate of the hydrocarbon-containing gas, the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, component analysis data, and the weight of the carbon product; wherein the reactor comprises an outer wall comprising a metal material and an inner wall comprising a non-metal material that contacts the inner surface of the outer wall and forms an internal space, wherein the inner wall is provided with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, wherein the catalyst is disposed on the separator plate, and wherein the hydrocarbon-containing gas is introduced into the lower part of the reactor and comes into contact with the catalyst to undergo a thermal decomposition reaction. Claim 10 A method for evaluating catalyst performance according to claim 9, wherein the hydrocarbon conversion rate is derived by including the steps of: calculating a first hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Equation 1 below and a second hydrocarbon conversion rate according to Equation 2 below, respectively; and comparing the first hydrocarbon conversion rate and the second hydrocarbon conversion rate: [Equation 1] First hydrocarbon conversion rate (%) = ((C1-C2) / C1) X 100 (in Equation 1, C1 is the number of moles of hydrocarbon before the reaction, and C2 is the number of moles of unreacted hydrocarbon in the gas after the reaction) [Equation 2] Second hydrocarbon conversion rate (%) = ((V2-V1) / V2) X 100 (in Equation 2, V1 is the hydrocarbon gas flow rate before the reaction (sccm), and V2 is the gas flow rate after the reaction (sccm). Claim 11 A method for evaluating catalyst performance according to claim 9, characterized in that the carbon production rate is derived by including the steps of: deriving a first carbon production rate according to Equation 3 below and a second carbon production rate according to Equation 4 below, respectively; and comparing the first carbon production rate and the second carbon production rate: [Equation 3] First carbon production rate (%) = ((W2 X (M1 / M2)) / W1) X 100 (in Equation 3, W1 is the amount of catalyst input into the reactor (g), W2 is the weight of the reacted hydrocarbon (g), M1 is the molar mass of the hydrocarbon (g / mol), and M2 is the molar mass of the carbon (g / mol)) [Equation 4] Second carbon production rate (%) = ((W3-W1) / W1) X 100 (in Equation 4, W1 is the amount of catalyst input into the reactor (g), and W3 is the weight of the carbon product (g). Claim 12 A method for evaluating catalyst performance according to claim 9, wherein the separator comprises a porous non-metallic material or a porous membrane filter. Claim 13 A method for evaluating catalyst performance according to claim 9, wherein the inner wall comprises: a first inner wall formed in contact with the outer wall and comprising a non-metallic material; and a second inner wall formed in contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the first inner wall and comprising a non-metallic material, wherein the second inner wall is provided with a breathable separator plate that partitions the internal space, and the catalyst is disposed on the separator plate. Claim 14 A method for evaluating catalyst performance according to claim 9, wherein the hydrocarbon-containing gas comprises one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and the inert gas comprises one or more of nitrogen, argon, and helium. Claim 15 A method for evaluating catalyst performance according to claim 9, characterized in that the catalyst comprises one or more of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn). Claim 16 A method for evaluating catalyst performance according to claim 9, wherein the outer wall of the reactor comprises one or more of aluminum, copper, zinc, and stainless steel, and the inner wall comprises one or more of quartz, boron nitride (BN), silica (SiO2), and ceramic.

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