Diffusion membrane and process for separating hydrogen from gas mixture
For separation of hydrogen and its isotopes by diffusion through a membrane virtually impermeable to other gases, a non-porous hydrogen-permeable metallic membrane is provided on the gas access side with a coating of an alloy of palladium with at least 45 atomic % Cu or at least 50 atomic percent Ag or at least 7 atomic % Y, the membrane itself containing Cu, Ag or Y respectively in a concentration at least equilibrated with the coating at operation temperature. Preferably the membrane consists of a metal of niobium and/or tantalum bases especially of an alloy containing from 10 to 30 % Ti, 3 to 10 % V, 0 to 25 % Nb and at least 30 % Ta, all by weight, and preferably it is of a composition of 20 to 25 % Ti, 5 to 7,5 % V, 0 to 25 Nb, and at least 50 % Ta, being saturated with copper and or silver, while a copper and/or silver palladium alloy coating is used. Such inherently oxidation sensitive membranes can be stabilized by provision of an internal intermediate layer in the form of a melt forming or containing an alkaline metal hydride and/or an alkaline earth metal hydride. A melt containing alkaline metal and/or alkaline earth metal which forms a hydride, brought into contact on the secondary side of a membrane in accordance with the invention, provides a hydrogen sink on the secondary side and inhibits internal hydride formation and secondary side oxidation of the membrane.
- Assignee:
- Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung (Germany, Federal Republic Of)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4496373
- OSTI ID:
- 5872769
- Resource Relation:
- Patent Priority Date: Priority date 6 Jun 1984, Germany, Federal Republic of (F.R. Germany); Other Information: PAT-APPL-617831
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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