System and method for producing pure hydrogen from pyrolysis gases
The palladium alloy membrane system for hydrogen separation and steam-gas reforming addresses inefficiencies in pyrolysis gas processing, achieving high-purity hydrogen and methanol production efficiently and sustainably.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/TR2025/050007
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-09
AI Technical Summary
Current methods for producing pure hydrogen from pyrolysis gases are inefficient, energy-intensive, costly, and environmentally harmful, with limited separation capacity and selectivity, making it difficult to produce high-purity hydrogen cost-effectively.
A system utilizing a palladium alloy membrane for gas separation, combined with steam-gas reforming and methanol synthesis, to efficiently separate and convert hydrogen and methane from pyrolysis gases, producing high-purity hydrogen and methanol.
The system enhances hydrogen production efficiency, reduces energy consumption and environmental impact, and increases scalability, contributing to sustainable energy production and waste management.
Smart Images
Figure TR2025050007_09102025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING PURE HYDROGEN FROM PYROLYSIS GASES
[0003] Technical Field
[0004] This invention relates to an innovative system and method for producing pure hydrogen from gas mixtures obtained during the pyrolysis process, specifically in the fields of energy conversion and sustainable energy technologies. The technique involves efficiently separating and purifying hydrogen from mixed gases produced during pyrolysis, as well as converting hydrocarbon gases like methane into hydrogen. Innovative methods, such as palladium alloy membrane technology, are employed for hydrogen separation and methane conversion.
[0005] The invention enhances the efficiency of pyrolysis technology, introduces an innovative approach to waste management and hydrogen production practices, and contributes to the sustainable expansion of the hydrogen economy and decarbonization of energy systems.
[0006] State of the Art
[0007] Pyrolysis is a thermochemical conversion process that occurs when organic materials are exposed to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. This process transforms various inputs such as solid waste, biomass, plastics, and other organic materials into gaseous, liquid, and solid biochemical products. Pyrolysis plays a crucial role in waste management and renewable energy production, as it has the potential to convert waste materials into valuable energy sources.
[0008] The gas mixtures resulting from pyrolysis contain components such as hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, and other hydrocarbon gases. While these gases can serve as valuable energy resources, separating and producing pure hydrogen from these mixtures poses challenges with existing methods. Pure hydrogen is a critical energy carrier used in clean energy technologies, fuel cells, and chemical industries. The disadvantages of current methods include high energy consumption, low hydrogen production efficiency, high operating and maintenance costs, and significant environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions. Additionally, traditional methods for separating hydrogen from pyrolysis gases often have limited separation capacity and selectivity, making it difficult to produce pure hydrogen cost-effectively.
[0009] This invention aims to improve the production of pure hydrogen from pyrolysis gases, increase energy efficiency, reduce operating and maintenance costs, and minimize environmental impacts. The proposed solution utilizes advanced separation techniques and materials to effectively process pyrolysis gases and produce pure hydrogen, significantly contributing to the hydrogen economy and sustainable energy production.
[0010] Objectives of the Invention
[0011] The primary objective of the invention is to develop a system and method that optimizes the production of pure hydrogen from mixed gases generated during pyrolysis. This system aims to process pyrolysis gases more efficiently, achieve high-purity hydrogen, and minimize energy consumption. The proposed solution increases the energy efficiency required for hydrogen production, reduces reliance on sustainable energy sources, and lowers the carbon footprint of energy conversion processes.
[0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide innovative techniques capable of converting not only hydrogen but also other gases with hydrogen potential (e.g., methane) within pyrolysis gases. By fully utilizing the potential of gases derived from existing pyrolysis processes, this approach aims to maximize hydrogen production capacity and overall process efficiency.
[0013] Additionally, the invention seeks to minimize the environmental impacts of the hydrogen production process from pyrolysis gases. This can be achieved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making waste management processes more environmentally friendly, and expanding the use of hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources. In this way, the invention aims to contribute to sustainability and environmental protection goals in energy production processes. Another purpose of the invention is to increase the industrial scalability of innovative methods and systems for producing pure hydrogen from pyrolysis gases. By making hydrogen production processes more economically viable, this approach promotes the wider adoption of hydrogen in energy systems, providing a significant contribution to the hydrogen economy and supporting the development of clean and sustainable energy resources.
[0014] The invention, designed to achieve the aforementioned objectives, includes: at least one pyrolysis unit that processes solid fuels to obtain high-purity hydrogen, at least one first gas separation unit containing a palladium alloy membrane that separates hydrogen from methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide gases resulting from the pyrolysis process, at least one steam-gas reformer where methane and water vapor undergo a steam methane reforming (SMR) reaction for additional hydrogen production, and carbon monoxide reacts with water vapor in a water-gas shift reaction to produce additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide, at least one second gas separation unit containing a palladium alloy membrane that ensures the production of high-purity hydrogen and separates hydrogen from water vapor, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide gases to reduce explosion risks, at least one methanol synthesis chamber that takes pure hydrogen, water vapor, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide obtained from the outputs of the first and second gas separation units and converts them into methanol.
[0015] Description of Figures
[0016] Figure 1 : A schematic representation of the system for producing pure hydrogen from pyrolysis gases.
[0017] Explanation of Part References
[0018] K. Solid Fuels H2. Hydrogen
[0019] 10. Pyrolysis Unit CH4. Methane
[0020] 20. First Gas Separation Unit CO2. Carbon Dioxide
[0021] 30. Steam-Gas Reformer HC. Hydrocarbons
[0022] 40. Second Gas Separation Unit H2O. Water
[0023] 50. Methanol Synthesis Chamber CO. Carbon Monoxide
[0024] CH3OH. Methanol Detailed Description of the Invention
[0025] Referring to Figure 1 , solid fuels (K) are processed in a pyrolysis unit (10). This process involves thermochemical conversion at high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment, resulting in the production of pyrolysis gases known as methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), water (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO).
[0026] The mixed gases mentioned above, exiting the pyrolysis unit (10), are directed to a first gas separation unit (20) containing a palladium alloy membrane. At this stage, hydrogen gas (H2) is separated from other components, including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO). The gases other than hydrogen (H2) are transferred to a steam-gas reformer (30) for further processing.
[0027] When the methane (CH4) and other gases exiting the first gas separation unit (20) enter the steam-gas reformer (30), they react with water vapor (H2O) to produce additional hydrogen (H2). During this process, carbon monoxide (CO) reacts with water (H2O), and these reactions generate hydrogen (H2) from methane (CH4) while carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced as a by-product. These reactions are managed by carefully controlling the heat and mitigating explosion risks.
[0028] The primary chemical reactions occurring in the steam-gas reformer (30) include:
[0029] 1. Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) Reaction: CH4+H2O— >CO+3H2
[0030] 2. Water-Gas Shift Reaction:
[0031] CO+H2O— >CO2+H2
[0032] These two reactions are the fundamental reactions occurring in the steam-gas reformer (30) and represent the key steps in the production of pure hydrogen. These reactions occur at high temperatures in the presence of catalysts. During this process, side reactions may also occur; however, the main objective is to maximize the production of hydrogen (H2).
[0033] The hydrogen (H2)-rich gases obtained from the steam-gas reformer (30) are transferred to a secondary gas separation unit (40) for further purification and to reduce explosion risks. In the mentioned secondary gas separation unit (40), H2 (hydrogen) is separated from other gases, such as water vapor (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon dioxide (CO2), using a palladium alloy membrane, resulting in the production of pure hydrogen (H2).
[0034] The pure hydrogen (H2), water vapor (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon dioxide (CO2) obtained from the outputs of the first and second gas separation units are conveyed to a methanol synthesis chamber (50) for methanol production. In the methanol synthesis chamber (50), hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are catalytically converted into methanol (CH3OH). During this process, methanol (CH3OH), which is a high-value product used in the chemical industry and also meets the energy needs, is produced.
[0035] The method pertaining to the invention for obtaining pure hydrogen from pyrolysis gases consists of the following process steps:
[0036] A. Processing of solid fuels (K) in at least one pyrolysis unit (10) to obtain pyrolysis gases containing methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), water (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO).
[0037] B. Processing the obtained pyrolysis gases through at least one first gas separation unit (20) containing a palladium alloy membrane to separate hydrogen (H2) from other components.
[0038] C. Processing the gases exiting the first gas separation unit (20) in at least one steamgas reformer (30) to produce additional hydrogen (H2) through the steam methane reforming (SMR) reaction of methane (CH4) and water vapor (H2O), and through the water-gas shift reaction of carbon monoxide (CO) to produce additional hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
[0039] D. Processing the hydrogen (H2)-rich gases obtained after the steam-gas reformer (30) in at least one secondary gas separation unit (40) containing a palladium alloy membrane to obtain high-purity hydrogen (H2) and reduce explosion risks. E. Processing the pure hydrogen (H2) obtained from the first (20) and second (40) gas separation units in at least one methanol synthesis chamber (50), where it is catalytically reacted with carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce methanol (CH3OH).
[0040] Thus, this innovative system and method provide significant contributions to waste management and hydrogen (H2) production by utilizing mixed gases derived from pyrolysis, producing not only pure hydrogen (H2) but also a valuable byproduct, methanol (CH3OH). This process aims to increase the efficiency and sustainability of energy conversion processes and contribute to the decarbonization of energy systems by reducing carbon emissions.
[0041] Moreover, great importance is placed on energy efficiency and process optimization at every stage of this process. The use of water vapor (H2O) in the steam-gas reformer (30) has been optimized to ensure energy savings and prevent unnecessary heat loss. The use of pure hydrogen (H2) from the secondary gas separation unit (40) has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint in energy-intensive industries and clean energy applications. The catalytic process in the methanol synthesis chamber (50) minimizes byproducts and waste gases, thereby reducing environmental impacts and increasing economic efficiency. The integration of this system plays a critical role in the transition to renewable energy sources and sustainable environmental practices.
[0042] The general principle of the invention is to promote sustainability and environmental compatibility in the energy conversion of waste materials. Furthermore, this system contributes to the circular economy in the production of valuable chemicals and energy resources from waste materials and introduces an innovative approach to waste management practices.
Claims
CLAIMS1. The invention is a system for producing pure hydrogen (H2) from pyrolysis gases, characterized by:• at least one pyrolysis unit (10) that processes solid fuels (K) to achieve high- purity hydrogen (H2),• at least one first gas separation unit (20) containing a palladium alloy membrane, which separates hydrogen (H2) from methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) gases resulting from the mentioned pyrolysis process,• at least one steam-gas reformer (30) where methane (CH4) and water vapor (H2O) undergo a steam methane reforming (SMR) reaction for additional hydrogen (H2) production, and carbon monoxide (CO) and water vapor (H2O) react in a water-gas shift reaction to produce additional hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2),• at least one second gas separation unit (40) containing a palladium alloy membrane that ensures the production of high-purity hydrogen (H2) and separates the hydrogen (H2) from water vapor (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon dioxide (CO2), reducing explosion risks,• at least one methanol synthesis chamber (50) that processes pure hydrogen (H2) obtained from the first (20) and second (40) gas separation units, along with water vapor (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon dioxide (CO2), to produce methanol (CH3OH).
2. The invention is a method for producing pure hydrogen (H2) from pyrolysis gases, characterized by the following steps:• Processing solid fuels (K) in at least one pyrolysis unit (10) to obtain pyrolysis gases containing methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), water (H2O), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO),• Processing the obtained pyrolysis gases through at least one first gas separation unit (20) containing a palladium alloy membrane to separate hydrogen (H2) from other components,• Processing the gases exiting the first gas separation unit (20) in at least one steam-gas reformer (30), where methane (CH4) and water vapor (H2O)undergo a steam methane reforming (SMR) reaction for additional hydrogen (H2) production, and carbon monoxide (CO) and water vapor (H2O) undergo a water-gas shift reaction to produce additional hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), • Processing the hydrogen (H2)-rich gases obtained after the steam-gas reformer (30) in at least one second gas separation unit (40) containing a palladium alloy membrane to obtain high-purity hydrogen (H2) and reduce explosion risks,• Processing the pure hydrogen (H2) obtained from the first (20) and second (40) gas separation units in at least one methanol synthesis chamber (50), where it is catalytically reacted with carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce methanol (CH3OH).