Purification of hydrogen removed from storage

A two-stage purification process using a pressure swing adsorption unit and hydrogen-permeable membrane unit efficiently purifies hydrogen stored underground, achieving high purity and recovery rates by adapting to changing impurity loads.

WO2026128845A1 Publication Date: 2026-06-18UOP LLC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
UOP LLC
Filing Date
2025-12-12
Publication Date
2026-06-18

AI Technical Summary

⚠Technical Problem

The challenge lies in effectively purifying hydrogen gas stored underground, which often contains impurities such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, water, and hydrogen sulfide, to achieve the required purity levels for industrial or fuel cell applications.

⚗Method used

A two-stage purification process involving a pressure swing adsorption unit followed by a hydrogen-permeable membrane unit is employed, where the hydrogen stream is divided into two portions, with one portion going through the PSA unit and the other through the membrane unit, optimizing the process to achieve high hydrogen recovery and purity.

🎯Benefits of technology

The process achieves hydrogen product purities ranging from 99.5 mol% (industrial grade) to 99.97 mol% (fuel cell grade) with a recovery rate of 90% to 99%, effectively removing contaminants and adapting to varying inlet gas compositions over time.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A process for recovery of hydrogen from underground storage is provided. The process involves sending a hydrogen stream stored in an underground cavern, a depleted gas field or a saline aquifer to a pressure swing adsorption unit and then to a membrane unit to produce hydrogen having a purity of above 99.5 mol%.
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