Methane cracking: Difference between revisions

 
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Methane cracking {{p|Note: the word 'cracking' has nothing to do with physical cracks in any material.}} is a process that converts methane (usually from [[fossil fuels|natural gas]]) into '''[[hydrogen gas]] and solid carbon'''. The hydrogen can be burned for [[energy]], and the carbon could be buried in the ground or used for something else. The carbon '''does not become [[climate change|CO2]]''' (unlike normal combustion of methane).
Methane cracking{{x|Note: the word 'cracking' has nothing to do with physical cracks in any material.}} is a process that converts methane (usually from [[fossil fuels|natural gas]]) into '''[[hydrogen gas]] and solid carbon'''. The hydrogen can be burned for [[energy]], and the carbon could be buried in the ground or used for something else. The carbon '''does not become [[climate change|CO<sub>2</sub>]]''' (unlike normal combustion of methane).


==Energy viability==
==Energy viability==
{{sum|'''Not''' viable - but could work in theory}}


Every methane-cracking method ''invented so far'' is a '''net loss''' of energy. Meaning that it takes more energy to crack the methane than you ultimately get from burning the hydrogen.
Every methane-cracking method ''invented so far'' is a '''net loss''' of energy. Meaning that it takes more energy to crack the methane than you ultimately get from burning the hydrogen.