Dense cermet membranes for hydrogen separation.
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) are developing dense ceramic-based membranes for separating hydrogen from the products of coal gasification and other partial-oxidation streams. Hydrogen separation with these membranes is nongalvanic, i.e., it does not use electrodes or an external power supply to drive the separation, and hydrogen selectivity is nearly 100% because the membranes contain no interconnected porosity. Novel cermet (i.e., ceramic-metal composite) membranes have been developed to separate hydrogen from gas mixtures at high temperature and pressure. Hydrogen permeation rates have been measured in the temperature range of 600-900 C for three classes of cermet membranes (ANL-1, -2, and -3). ANL-3a membranes, with a thickness of 40 {micro}m, provide the highest hydrogen flux ({approx}20 cm{sup 3} [STP]/min-cm 2 at 900 C with 100% H{sub 2} as the feed gas). The effects of membrane thickness and hydrogen partial pressure on hydrogen flux indicate that the bulk diffusion of hydrogen is rate-limiting in ANL-3 membranes with a thickness >40 {micro}m. ANL-3b membranes were tested in simulated syngas at several temperatures, and no performance degradation was observed for times that approached {approx}200 h; this observation suggests that the membrane is chemically stable and may be suitable for long-term operation. The performance of membranes in separating hydrogen from high-pressure gas streams is being evaluated with NETL's in-house R and D facilities. The present status of membrane development at ANL/NETL will be presented in this paper.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 801646
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ET/CP-108514
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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