Solar powered Methane cracker to make carbon black

ERJ staff report (TB)

Qatar - Germany's Fraunhofer Institute is working with the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) to use solar power to crack naturally-produced methane into hydrogen and carbon.

The main thrust is to produce hydrogen, but the system also generates carbon as a by-product.

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, said "Qatar does not invest only in basic and applied research, but also invests effectively in human development in Qatar to benefit from his capabilities, and in order to see a bright future that is full of research discoveries to benefit the Middle East and the world."

Professor Dr. Eckhard Beyer, Executive Director of the Fraunhofer

Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS in Dresden, said: “Supplying all necessary energy for a decomposition of

natural gas into gaseous H₂ and particulate carbon completely from the

sun is an ambitious aim. But the scientists and engineers of the

Fraunhofer IWS meet the challenge in close cooperation with their

colleagues from Qatar.”

QSTP Executive President Tidu Maini said, "It is a unique opportunity to work on an applied research project with Fraunhofer Institute, which has a long experience in this area. This project is built on the vision of Her Highness to focus on Qatari scientific research sector to help use and exploit oil and gas resources in a sound and friendly environment."

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Press release from Fraunhofer Institute

Press report from Qatar News Agency

Qatar Foundation: Sheikha Mozah Witnesses Solar Carbon Black Project Agreement from Qatar News Agency, via Global Arab Netwoek