Method and catalyst for producing carbon product

Abstract

The application relates to a method for producing at least a carbon product by a chemical reaction with a catalyst in a reactor, wherein a reactant is arranged into contact with the catalyst comprising metal for performing the chemical reaction to form spherical carbon particles comprising an allotrope of carbon, at least a portion of the spherical carbon particles is impregnated with metal particles to form metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles, and the chemical reaction is performed in the presence of the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles in the reactor to form the carbon product comprising spherical carbon particles having an allotrope of carbon. Further, the application relates to a catalyst.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND CATALYST FOR PRODUCING CARBON PRODUCT

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The application relates to a method defined in claim 1 for producing at least a carbon product by a chemical reaction with a catalyst in a reactor . Further, the application relates to a catalyst defined in claim 13 .

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] It is known different methods , processes and catalysts for producing hydrogen from hydrocarbons , such as methane . Further, it is known to produce a solid carbon . Metal catalysts , such as metal supported catalysts , may be used for producing hydrogen, e . g . in a pyrolysis .

[0006] OBJECTIVE

[0007] The obj ective is to disclose a novel type of catalyst and method for forming carbon . Further, the obj ective is to disclose an improved process for methane decomposition . Further, the obj ective is to achieve an effective process for forming solid carbon products .

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] The method and catalyst are characteri zed by what are presented in the claims .

[0010] The method for producing at least a carbon product by a chemical reaction with a catalyst in a reactor, wherein a reactant is arranged into contact with the catalyst for performing the chemical reaction to form spherical carbon particles comprising an allotrope of carbon, at least a portion of the spherical carbon particles are impregnated with metal particles to form metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles , the chemical reaction is performed in the presence of the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles in the reactor to form the carbon product .

[0011] The catalyst for a chemical reaction forming at least a carbon product is a carbon-supported catalyst , which comprises at least one metal as a catalytically active agent and spherical carbon particles as a carrier material , such that the spherical carbon particles having an allotrope of carbon are impregnated with metal particles for forming metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles and the catalyst is formed from the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles .

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The method for producing at least a carbon product by a chemical reaction with a catalyst in a reactor comprises steps a) - d) . In step a) , a reactant is arranged into contact with the catalyst comprising metal for performing the chemical reaction to form spherical carbon particles comprising an allotrope of carbon, wherein the si zes of the spherical carbon particles are 300 - 1000 pm . In step b) , at least a portion of the spherical carbon particles are impregnated with metal particles to form metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles . In step c) , the chemical reaction is performed in the presence of the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles in the reactor to form the carbon product comprising spherical carbon particles having an allotrope of carbon . In step d) , the chemical reaction is continued by steps b) and c) in the reactor . Preferably, at least a portion of the carbon product can be recovered, e . g . by taking the carbon product out or discharging the carbon product . According to an example , the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles have spherical shape .

[0014] In this context , the catalyst means any catalyst , which comprises at least a metal catalyst . Preferably, the catalyst comprises catalyst material. The catalyst material contains at least a metal as a catalytic agent. The catalyst material may be formed of one or more components. In one embodiment, the catalyst material is formed of one or more catalytic agent. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises at least two metals. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises at least a catalyst surface where the chemical reaction can be carried out. In one embodiment, the catalyst is arranged to form the catalyst surface, e.g. to a catalyst structure, catalyst element, reactor element, reactor structure or other suitable surface. In one embodiment, the catalyst surface is formed of catalyst material. In one embodiment, the catalyst or catalyst material is formed of one or more catalytically active metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, silicon, carbon, or an oxide thereof, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the catalyst or catalyst material comprises two catalytically active metals, wherein the two catalytically active metals are selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, silicon, carbon, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the catalyst or catalyst material is formed of nickel, copper, iron, and / or cobalt. In one embodiment, the catalyst or catalyst material contains nickel. In one embodiment, the catalyst or catalyst material contains Ni-Cu metals. In one embodiment, Ni:Cu ratio is 1:1 - 12:1. In one embodiment, Ni:Cu ratio is higher than 5, in one embodiment higher than 10. The catalyst may comprise a predetermined shape or structure. In one embodiment, the catalyst or its surface may be pre-treated by modifying for improving the activity of the catalyst. In one embodiment, the catalyst is pre-treated at least by an acid, heat or their combination. In one embodiment, the same catalyst material, such as metal (s) , is used in steps a) and c) . In one embodiment, different catalyst material, such as metal (s) , is used in steps a) and c) .

[0015] Preferably, the catalyst, which is used in step a) , comprises metal. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprising metal, used in step a) , contains one or more catalytically active metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, silicon, carbon or an oxide thereof, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprising metal, used in step a) , contains nickel and copper metals and a support, e.g. a metal oxide support, such as an aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, titanium oxide and / or magnesium oxide support. In one embodiment, the support material is the aluminum oxide. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprising metal, used in step a) , is formed from spherical particles. By means of the spherical particles may have an effect on the allotrope of carbon.

[0016] In step a) may be used same or different catalytic metals than in the next steps. Any suitable catalyst, which comprises preferably at least one metal catalytic agent, can be used in step a) . In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises one or more catalytically active metals.

[0017] In one embodiment, the catalyst is selected such that small metal particles, e.g. nano-scale particles, may be detached from the catalyst surface when carbon is formed in step a) . In one embodiment, the carbon allotrope releases small metal particles, preferably micro- and nano-scale metal particles, from the surface of the catalyst during the chemical reaction. In one embodiment, if the metal particles are released from the catalyst, detached metal particles are dissolved into suitable liquid, such as into an acid, and after that a metal solution comprising the metal particles are impregnated to the spherical carbon particles.

[0018] In one embodiment, the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles comprises carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, single wall carbon nanotubes, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon nano onions, carbon nano shells, carbon micro shells, amorphous carbon, graphene, graphite fibers and / or graphite, when the spherical carbon particles are formed in step a) and / or step c) . In one embodiment, the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contains at least carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes. The allotrope of the spherical carbon particles may contain also other graphitic type carbon and / or metal oxide impurities. In one embodiment, the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contains a mixture of carbon nanofibers and amorphous carbon and / or graphitic carbon. The allotropes of the spherical carbon particles may be similar or different in steps a) and c) .

[0019] Preferably, the sizes of the spherical carbon particles are 300 - 1000 pm, in one embodiment 500 - 800 pm. In one embodiment, a density of the spherical carbon particles is 0.5 - 1.3 g / ml. In one embodiment, a density of the spherical carbon particles is 0.7 - 1.3 g / ml, in one embodiment 0.8 - 1.1. g / ml. In one embodiment, the density and size of the spherical carbon particles affect the fluidization.

[0020] In one embodiment, the spherical carbon particles, e.g. particles of fine carbon material, are granulated before the step b) , i.e. before the impregnation with the metal particles.

[0021] Preferably, in step b) the spherical carbon particles are impregnated with the metal particles to form metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles. In one embodiment, the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles have spherical shape. In one embodiment, the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles comprise at least catalytic surface layer, e.g. an outer active layer, on the spherical carbon particles. In one embodiment, the catalytic surface layer is arranged onto the spherical carbon particles during the impregnation, i.e. in step b) . In one embodiment, the catalytic surface layer is formed of catalytically active metals. In one embodiment, the catalytically active metals or the metal particles are formed of metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, silicon, carbon, or an oxide thereof, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the spherical carbon particles are impregnated with the metal particles in which metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, silicon, carbon, or an oxide thereof, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the spherical carbon particles are impregnated with the metal particles containing nickel and copper in step b) .

[0022] In one embodiment, the metal, e.g. metal particles and / or metal layer, is attached to or onto the formed spherical carbon particles, which comprise the allotrope of carbon, e.g. the carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, single wall carbon nanotubes, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon nano onions, carbon nano shells, carbon micro shells, amorphous carbon, graphene, graphite fibers and / or graphite, to form the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles. In one embodiment, the spherical carbon particles contain carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes, and optionally also other graphitic type carbon and / or metal impurities. In one embodiment, the spherical carbon particles contain a mixture of carbon nanofibers and amorphous carbon and / or graphitic carbon, and optionally metal impurities. By means of the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles the chemical reaction can be continued. Preferably, the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles comprise the carbon as support material.

[0023] Preferably, the catalyst or metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles comprise at least one metal or at least two metals for the chemical reaction to form the carbon comprising an allotrope of carbon.

[0024] In one embodiment, the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles are calcined after the impregnation, i.e. after step b) or in step b) . In one embodiment, the calcination is performed under air or nitrogen. In one embodiment, the calcination is performed at a temperature of 250 - 650 °C, e.g. for 1 - 6 hours.

[0025] Preferably, the chemical reaction is carried out by the catalyst or the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles in a reactor, preferably inside the reactor. In this context, the reactor may be any reactor, chamber or space where the chemical reaction can be carried out. In one embodiment, the reactor is selected from the group consisting of a pyrolysis reactor, fluidized reactor, fixed reactor, fixed bed reactor, rotary kiln reactor or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the reactor is a fluid bed reactor.

[0026] In one embodiment, the impregnation, i.e. step b) , is performed in the reactor. In one embodiment, the impregnation is performed in a separate space, e.g. separate space of the reactor, other reactor or other space.

[0027] In one embodiment, the step a) is an initial reaction step. The initial reaction can be performed in the same reactor or in a different reactor than the steps b) , c) and / or d) . In one embodiment, the step a) is performed in a first reactor or first reactor space. In one embodiment, steps b) , c) and / or d) are performed in the same reactor, e.g. a second reactor or second reactor space. In one embodiment, step c) is performed in the second reactor or second reactor space, and the impregnation, i . e . step b) , is performed in a different reactor or space , e . g . in an intermediate reactor or intermediate reactor space .

[0028] In one embodiment , the chemical reaction, e . g . the initial chemical reaction according to step a) and / or the chemical reaction according to c) , is performed at a pressure between 0 - 5 bars and / or at a temperature between 600 - 900 ° C . In one embodiment , the chemical reaction is performed at a reaction temperature of between 600 - 900 ° C . In one embodiment , the chemical reaction is performed under the atmospheric pressure . In one embodiment , the chemical reaction is performed under the pressure of between 0 - 5 bars . In one embodiment , the contact time of the reactant with the catalyst or the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles is selected based on the reactant and the catalyst or the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles . In one embodiment , the chemical reaction is selected from the group consisting of a methane splitting, catalysed methane splitting, catalysed pyrolysis , catalysed hydrocarbon pyrolysis , catalysed methane pyrolysis , catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition, catalytic methane decomposition, thermocatalytic decomposition, thermocat- alytic methane decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, other reaction, or any combination thereof . In one embodiment , the chemical reaction is the reaction, in which the hydrocarbon is treated, and the hydrocarbon is selected from the group of Ci-io-alkanes , such as methane and ethane , C2-io_alkenes and C2-io_alkynes .

[0029] Preferably, the reactant is fed to the reactor and the chemical reaction is performed in the reactor, and at least carbon is formed, and it can be recovered . Preferably, the reactant is arranged to contact with the catalyst or the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles in the reactor . Preferably, the steps b) - d) can be repeated one or more times . In this context, the reactant means any suitable reactant, which can be treated in the process. In one embodiment, the reactant is a hydrocarbon selected from the group of Ci-io-alkanes , such as methane and ethane, C2-io_alkenes , and C2-io_alkynes . In one embodiment, the reactant comprises at least methane.

[0030] In one embodiment, the reactant is arranged to flow from top to bottom in the reactor. The reactant flow direction from top to bottom enables easier carbon recovery from the bottom. In one embodiment, the reactant is arranged to flow from bottom to top in the reactor, especially if a fluidized reactor is used. In one embodiment, the reactant is arranged to flow horizontally.

[0031] In one embodiment, hydrogen is formed by the chemical reaction and recovered. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is discharged from the reactor. In one embodiment, the carbon and hydrogen are produced.

[0032] The carbon product comprises at least carbon, especially an allotrope of carbon, e.g. carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber, single wall carbon nanotubes, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon nano onions, carbon nano shells, carbon micro shells, amorphous carbon, graphene, graphite fibers and / or graphite. In one embodiment, the allotrope of carbon comprises at least carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment, the carbon product is formed as the reaction product in the solid form.

[0033] According one example, the formed catalyst for a chemical reaction forming at least a carbon product is a carbon-supported catalyst, which comprises at least one metal as a catalytically active agent and spherical carbon particles as a carrier material, wherein the sizes of the spherical carbon particles are 300 - 1000 pm, such that the spherical carbon particles having an allotrope of carbon are impregnated with metal particles for forming metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles and the catalyst is formed from the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles . According to an example , the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles have spherical shape .

[0034] In one embodiment, the metal in the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of nickel , copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt , manganese , chromium, silicon, carbon or an oxide thereof , or any combination thereof . In one embodiment , the metal is selected from nickel and / or copper .

[0035] In one embodiment , the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contains at least carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes . The allotrope of the spherical carbon particles may contain also other graphitic type carbon and / or metal impurities . In one embodiment , the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contains a mixture of carbon nanofibers and amorphous carbon and / or graphitic carbon .

[0036] The catalyst can be used in a desired method, process and / or apparatus . In one embodiment , the catalyst is used in the chemical reaction selected from the group consisting of a methane splitting, catalysed methane splitting, catalysed pyrolysis , catalysed hydrocarbon pyrolysis , catalysed methane pyrolysis , catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition, catalytic methane decomposition, thermocatalytic decomposition, thermocat- alytic methane decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, other reaction, or any combination thereof . In one embodiment, the catalyst is used in thermocatalytic decomposition . In one embodiment , the catalyst is used in a reactor, vertical reactor, tube reactor, fixed bed reactor, fixed reactor, pyrolysis reactor, fluidized reactor, rotary kiln reactor or any combination thereof .

[0037] In one embodiment , the method is used in a methane splitting, catalysed methane splitting, catalysed pyrolysis , catalysed hydrocarbon pyrolysis , catalysed methane pyrolysis , catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition, catalytic methane decomposition, thermocatalytic decomposition, thermocatalytic methane decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, other reaction, or any combination thereof . In one embodiment , the method is used in thermocatalytic decomposition . In one embodiment , the method is used in a reactor, vertical reactor, tube reactor, fixed reactor, fixed bed reactor, pyrolysis reactor, fluidi zed reactor, rotary kiln reactor or any combination thereof .

[0038] Thanks to the invention an effective process can be provided to produce carbon products and hydrogen . The carbon product with high purity can be achieved . Especially, more pure carbon can be produced with the formed carbon-supported catalyst particles compared to typical metal oxide supported catalyst . When the metal oxide supported catalysts are used, more inorganic impurities remain to carbon . Further, the carbon formation can be continued longer in the reactor . By means of the invention the catalyst with a long lifetime can be provided in the reactor , and the catalyst keeps an activity .

[0039] The invention offers a possibility to achieve the carbon product and hydrogen with good properties easily . Further, methane splitting efficiency can be improved . Further, density of the carbon-supported catalyst particles is suitable to be used, for example , in fluid bed reactors , especially compared to more dense solid metal catalysts .

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The accompanying drawings , which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principle of the invention . In the drawings :

[0042] Fig . 1 shows SEM-image of spherical carbon catalyst support according to one embodiment , and

[0043] Fig . 2 shows hydrogen yield according to one embodiment .

[0044] EXAMPLES

[0045] The process for producing a carbon product is performed in a reactor .

[0046] In the process , e . g . in a methane thermocata- lytic decomposition, the carbon product is produced by a chemical reaction with a catalyst . In step a) , a reactant i s arranged into contact with the catalyst comprising metal for performing the chemical reaction to form spherical carbon particles comprising an allotrope of carbon . In step b) , at least a portion of the spherical carbon particles are impregnated with metal particles to form metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles . In step c) , the chemical reaction is performed in the presence of the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles in the reactor to form the carbon product comprising spherical carbon particles having an allotrope of carbon . In step d) , the chemical reaction is continued by steps b) and c) in the reactor . A portion of the carbon product may be recovered, e . g . by taking the carbon product out or discharging the carbon product from the reactor . The reactor, in which the chemical reaction is performed, is a fluid bed reactor in the example .

[0047] According to an example, the catalyst comprising metal , used in step a) , contains nickel and copper metals and an alumina support . The allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contains at least carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes . The spherical carbon, which have si ze of 500 - 1000 pm, are impregnated with the metal particles containing nickel and copper in step b) . Also, the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles have spherical shape .

[0048] Further hydrogen is formed and recovered .

[0049] Example 1

[0050] In Fig . 1 is presented the cross-section SEM- image of spherical carbon catalyst support , i . e . particle, cut in half . An allotrope of the carbon was carbon nanofiber .

[0051] Example 2

[0052] In Fig . 2 is presented hydrogen yield in the test , in which hydrogen was produced with the spherical carbon supported catalyst . The catalyst contained metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles , in which nickel and copper were arranged on the carbon fiber type support .

[0053] Example 3

[0054] In this example , carbon particles obtained after the thermocatalytic methane decomposition were used as the catalyst support in the continued reaction .

[0055] In the first test , the carbon powder with the si ze less than 100 pm was granulated to bigger si ze fraction comprising spherical carbon particles of 300 - 1000 pm . In the second test , the spherical carbon particles of 300 - 1000 pm were used . The carbon particles of tests 1 and 2 were impregnated with Ni and Cu .

[0056] In the first test , the carbon granulation was conducted using a binding agent followed by sintering of granulated carbon at 700 ° C for 1 hour under nitrogen . The obtained granulated carbon particles of 300 - 1000 pm were impregnated with Ni and Cu, with different loadings . The metal loading varied between 5 to 50 % for Ni and 1 to 10 % for Cu in the carbon particles . After the impregnation, the obtained material was calcined under air at 300 ° C for 3 hours . The thermocatalytic methane decomposition was continued at 850 ° C using the impregnated carbon particles as the catalyst . The tests were carried out in a small scale laboratory reactor . Further, the activity of the impregnated carbon particle catalysts was compared to the activity of the non-im- pregnated catalyst ( comparative sample ) .

[0057] In the second test , the spherical carbon particles of 300 - 1000 pm were impregnated with Ni and Cu, with different loadings , and calcined under nitrogen at 600 ° C for 3 hours . The metal loading varied between 5 to 50 % for Ni and 1 to 10 % for Cu in the carbon particles . The thermocatalytic methane decomposition was continued at 630 ° C using the impregnated carbon particles as the catalyst . The tests were carried out in a medium scale reactor .

[0058] It was observed from the tests that carbon yield was clearly higher in samples , in which the catalyst was impregnated with metals , than in the comparative sample .

[0059] Further, the BET surface area of the comparative sample was 40 - 50 m2 / g, and the BET surface area of the sample was 65 - 75 m2 / g after the metal loading . Thus , it was observed that Ni and Cu metals provide additional surface sites . Further, it was observed that the BET surface area of the sample was 97 - 107 m2 / g after the thermocatalytic decomposition treatment .

[0060] The method and catalyst are suitable in different embodiments for using in different processes where carbon is formed . Further, the invention is suitable in different embodiments for producing carbon products and other products , such as hydrogen .

[0061] The invention is not limited merely to the examples referred to above ; instead, many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for producing at least a carbon product by a chemical reaction with a catalyst in a reactor, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises a) arranging a reactant into contact with the catalyst comprising metal for performing the chemical reaction to form spherical carbon particles comprising an allotrope of carbon, wherein the sizes of the spherical carbon particles are 300 - 1000 pm; b) impregnating at least a portion of the spherical carbon particles with metal particles to form metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles; c) performing the chemical reaction in the presence of the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles in the reactor to form the carbon product comprising spherical carbon particles having an allotrope of carbon; and d) continuating the chemical reaction by steps b) and c) in the reactor.

2. The method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst comprising metal, used in step a) , is formed from spherical particles.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst comprising metal, used in step a) , contains one or more catalytically active metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, silicon, carbon or an oxide thereof, or any combination thereof.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst comprising metal, used in step a) , contains nickel and copper metals and a metal oxide support.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles comprises carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, single wall carbon nanotubes, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon nano onions, carbon nano shells, carbon micro shells, amorphous carbon, graphene, graphite fibers and / or graphite.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contains at least carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contain a mixture of carbon nanofibers and amorphous carbon and / or graphitic carbon .

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles have spherical shape.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the spherical carbon particles are impregnated with the metal particles containing nickel and copper in step b) .

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the chemical reaction is selected from the group consisting of a methane splitting, catalysed methane splitting, catalysed pyrolysis, catalysed hydrocarbon pyrolysis, catalysed methane pyrolysis, catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition, catalytic methane decomposition, thermocatalytic decomposition, thermocatalytic methane decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, other reaction, or any combination thereof.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the reactor is a fluid bed reactor.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a density of the spherical carbon particles is 0.7 - 1.3 g / ml.

13. A catalyst for a chemical reaction forming at least a carbon product, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst is a carbon-supported catalyst, which comprises at least one metal as a catalytically active agent and spherical carbon particles as a carrier material, wherein the sizes of the spherical carbon particles are 300 - 1000 pm, such that the spherical carbon particles having an allotrope of carbon are impregnated with metal particles for forming metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles and the catalyst is formed from the metal impregnated carbon catalyst particles.

14. The catalyst according to claim 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, iron, aluminium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, chromium, silicon, carbon or an oxide thereof, or any combination thereof .

15. The catalyst according to claim 13 or 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the metal is selected from nickel and / or copper.

16. The catalyst according to any one of claims 13 to 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the allotrope of the spherical carbon particles contains at least carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes, or a mixture of carbon nanofibers and amorphous carbon and / or graphitic carbon .

Images