Some Features of the Process of Interaction of Iron with Methane at a Temperature of 900°C and a Pressure of 100 MPa

Using the original high-gas pressure unit (IHPV), experiments were conducted for the first time on the interaction of iron with methane at a temperature of 900°C and a pressure of 100 MPa. Complex methods (microprobe, Raman spectroscopy, chromatography, mass balance calculations) are used for a thorough analysis of fluid compositions and metallic phases formed in experiments. For the first time, experimental and theoretical quantitative data on the composition of the fluid and the composition of the fluid components dissolved in the metal were obtained. Unlike the previously studied Fe 3 C–H 2 system, in experiments, when Fe reacts with methane, there is an active interaction of carbon formed due to the pyrolysis of methane with iron up to the synthesis of Fe 3 C carbide. The experiments have shown that increasing pressure inhibits significantly hydrogen yield during methane conversion on metallic iron. Carbon saturation of iron with the formation of Fe 3 C is not complete within the entire volume of the metal during 24 h runs at 900°С. Employing molybdenum containers facilitates CH 4 decomposition.