Experimental Demonstration of Enhanced Hydrogen Permeation in Palladium Via a Composite Catalytic-Permselective Membrane Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • A composite catalytic-permselective (CCP) membrane comprised of a 500-m Cu(II)O/Al2O3 catalyst film washcoated overtop a 27-m electroless-plated dense palladium thin film was constructed on a porous less-steel substrate. Hydrogen purification experiments performed under ideal (H2-Ar) nonreactive mixtures and simulated reformate (5% CO, 7.5% H2O, 15% H2, 1.5% CO2, and balance Ar) over a range of residence times at 623-773 K confirm up to 30% enhancement in observed hydrogen permeance of the palladium film, achieved using the CCP membrane design in which the catalyst layer modifies the gas-phase composition in direct contact with the permselective Pd film. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the palladium film after 10-h exposure to reaction conditions and Cu(II)O catalyst confirm no corrosion of the film, while observed hydrogen permselectivities remained in excess of 10,000:1. These experimental results confirm that the CCP membrane design is capable of significantly improving palladium membrane performance. 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

published proceedings

  • AICHE JOURNAL

author list (cited authors)

  • Kim, D., Barnett, K., & Wilhite, B. A.

citation count

  • 8

complete list of authors

  • Kim, Daejin||Barnett, Kevin||Wilhite, Benjamin A

publication date

  • May 2013

publisher