Funding will support the project team's small-scale research and development of a molten salt methane pyrolysis technology to produce low cost, low carbon intensity hydrogen by using a newly developed process and catalyst to decompose methane into hydrogen and solid carbon.
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
July 6, 2026
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Funding will support the project team's small-scale research and development of a molten salt methane pyrolysis technology to produce low cost, low carbon intensity hydrogen by using a newly developed process and catalyst to decompose methane into hydrogen and solid carbon. Specifically, the project team will
- develop a conceptual design and validate operational feasibility of preliminary pyrolysis pilot plant,
- finalize design and details of pyrolysis pilot plant,
- secure permit, fabricate components, and construct pilot plant,
- test and validate pilot plant operation and carbon outputs to meet performance standards and metrics, and
- conduct a techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment for next phase development.
If successful, this project will result in a sustainable process to convert natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon for use in graphite, cement, and steel production, ultimately reducing dependence on foreign energy and mineral sources, and thereby increasing U.S. energy and mineral security.