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Air pollution

Global Warming and Climate Change Research Reveals Insights on Molten Metal-based Methane Pyrolysis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists at Hankyong National University have conducted a study to analyze the global warming potential and economic feasibility of molten metal (MM)-based CH4 pyrolysis, resulting in the production of 200 kt/y of H-2. The research, supported by the Korean Government, highlights the impact of MM catalysts, metal impurities, and heat sources on carbon emissions and the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH).

Key Takeaways:

  • The CH4 conversion reached 34% for Te-based BCR at 800°C and 43% for BCR using Ni0 27Bi0 73 at 1065°C.
  • The CO2 equivalent emissions were driven by MM losses (similar to 1.75 kg-CO2/kg-H-2), MM catalysts (similar to 0.88 kg-CO2/kg-H-2), and heat sources (similar to 0.83 kg-CO2/kg-H-2).
  • The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) varied by +/-$4/kg-H-2 due to MM losses, with additional costs of $0.4-0.5/kg-H-2 for electric arc furnace (EAF) heating compared to the natural gas-fired furnace (NFF).
  • For Te-based BCR, the LCOH ranged $2.7-7.2/kg-H-2, while the NiBi-based process exhibited a lower range of $2.3-3.2/kg-H-2.
  • The research concluded that MM catalysts and loss influence CO2 emissions and LCOH in the MM-based CH4 pyrolysis process.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

Statistics:

  • 34% increase in CH4 conversion at 800°C for Te-based BCR.
  • 43% increase in CH4 conversion at 1065°C for BCR using Ni0 27Bi0 73.
  • CO2 equivalent emissions: MM losses (similar to 1.75 kg-CO2/kg-H-2), MM catalysts (similar to 0.88 kg-CO2/kg-H-2), and heat sources (similar to 0.83 kg-CO2/kg-H-2).
  • LCOH variation: +/-$4/kg-H-2 due to MM losses.
  • Additional costs for electric arc furnace (EAF) heating: $0.4-0.5/kg-H-2.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from Hankyong National University Reveal New Findings on Global Warming and Climate Change (Effect of Metal Loss On Hydrogen Production Cost and Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Molten Metal-based Methane Pyrolysis). Global Warming Focus. October 27, 2025; p 4358.
  • International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. "Effect of Metal Loss On Hydrogen Production Cost and Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Molten Metal-based Methane Pyrolysis." Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, 2025; 179.

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