section_path: Production/Methane pyrolysis
section_name: Methane pyrolysis
paragraph_text: Methane pyrolysis
  
  Hydrogen can be produced by pyrolysis of natural gas (methane).
  
  This route has a lower carbon footprint than commercial hydrogen production processes. Developing a commercial methane pyrolysis process could expedite the expanded use of hydrogen in industrial and transportation applications. Methane pyrolysis is accomplished by passing methane through a molten metal catalyst containing dissolved nickel. Methane is converted to hydrogen gas and solid carbon.
  
  The carbon may be sold as a manufacturing feedstock or fuel, or landfilled.
  
  Further research continues in several laboratories, including at Karlsruhe Liquid-metal Laboratory and at University of California – Santa Barbara. BASF built a methane pyrolysis pilot plant.