Composite Membrane for Hydrogen Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen separation membranes face challenges with adhesion strength, durability, and recyclability due to surface irregularities and thermal expansion issues, leading to inefficiencies and quality defects.
Innovation Solution
A composite membrane material featuring a thin hydrogen-permeable membrane laminated with a high-melting metal shape-retention mesh in a nonbonded state, pleated to enhance permeation area and prevent cracking, allowing for easy recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hydrogen-permeable membrane is formed on a porous support by electroless plating to increase volumetric efficiency, then hydrogen separation efficiency per unit volume is improved, but adhesion strength between the membrane and support deteriorates due to surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the membrane support structure into flat plate portions and folded portions, creating distinct functional zones. The flat plates provide stable bonding areas while the folded portions create expansion space, resolving the contradiction between adhesion strength and membrane expansion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat membrane to a three-dimensional folded structure. By folding the membrane along predetermined lines, it increases the effective surface area and creates internal expansion space, thereby improving volumetric efficiency while maintaining adhesion through flat bonding portions.
2Productivity
If the membrane is made thin to increase permeation efficiency, then hydrogen permeation efficiency is improved, but the membrane becomes difficult to retain its shape and prone to cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the membrane. Flat plate portions provide rigidity and shape retention, while folded portions provide flexibility and expansion space. This local differentiation allows thin membranes to maintain durability without compromising permeation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded portions act as pre-designed expansion spaces that accommodate thermal expansion and mechanical stress before cracking can occur. This beforehand cushioning protects the thin membrane from stress concentration and improves reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If the membrane is made thin and flexible to increase permeation area, then permeation area is increased, but the membrane cannot withstand applied pressure and deforms
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the membrane into flat plate portions (for pressure resistance) and folded portions (for permeation area), the patent achieves both large permeation area and adequate pressure resistance. The flat portions act as rigid supports while the folded portions maximize surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded portions create curved three-dimensional structures that increase permeation area while the flat plate portions maintain planar stability for withstanding pressure. This combination of curved and flat geometries optimizes both area and pressure resistance.
4Area of stationary object
If electroless plating is used to form the membrane on a support with concave-convex portions, then surface area is increased, but manufacturing complexity and adhesion control become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by segmenting the membrane into flat plates that can be independently formed and then assembled. This avoids the complexity of forming membranes on complex concave-convex supports while still achieving large surface area through folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary folding of flat plate membranes along predetermined lines before assembly. This preliminary action creates the three-dimensional structure and expansion spaces, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to forming membranes on complex pre-shaped supports.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly increases hydrogen permeation efficiency, prevents cracking, and facilitates easy recycling of the hydrogen-permeable membrane, while maintaining high accuracy and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a process by electrolysis of water, and a process for obtaining hydrogen by steam reforming of various raw gases such as methanol, propane gas, liquefied natural gas and city gas
Implementation Method 2
hydrogen gas having a high purity of 99.99% or more... hydrogen gas separated by the hydrogen-permeable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A composite membrane material characterized by comprising a hydrogen-permeable membrane which is selectively permeable to hydrogen and is formed by rolling to a thickness of 30 μm or less which is difficult for the membrane by itself to retain its shape, and a shape-retention mesh which is disposed on at least one side of the hydrogen-permeable membrane and is composed of a wire of a high-melting metal which does not cause thermal diffusion into the hydrogen-permeable membrane, wherein the hydrogen-permeable membrane and the shape-retention mesh are superposed and subjected to a pleat processing in a non-bonded state so that they are separable and the hydrogen-permeable membrane has a surface area increased at least 3 times per unit area. This material is used to constitute a hydrogen separation element.