Hydrogen Membrane Purification Assembly for Carbon Monoxide Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen generation assemblies produce hydrogen gas with impurities, requiring effective purification methods to increase hydrogen purity for applications like energy production in fuel cells, where existing methods may not adequately remove harmful components like carbon monoxide.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hydrogen-selective membranes, such as palladium and palladium alloys, in a pressure-driven separation process within a sealed pressure vessel to separate hydrogen gas from impurities, along with additional purification methods like chemical carbon monoxide removal assemblies and pressure swing adsorption systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used, then the purification process is simpler, but hydrogen purity is insufficient and harmful components like carbon monoxide are not adequately removed
Solution Approach 1:
The purification system is divided into multiple functional stages: a first purification device using pressure swing adsorption to remove impurities like carbon dioxide and water vapor, and a second purification device using membrane separation to remove carbon monoxide and other contaminants. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific impurities, achieving high hydrogen purity (greater than 99.9%) while managing overall system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate purification steps between the hydrogen generation assembly and the fuel cell. The first purification device acts as an intermediary to remove bulk impurities, and the second purification device serves as another intermediary layer to remove trace contaminants like carbon monoxide. These intermediary devices protect the fuel cell from harmful substances while maintaining high hydrogen purity
2Reliability
If multiple purification methods are combined, then harmful components are effectively removed, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The purification system is divided into multiple functional stages: a first purification device using pressure swing adsorption to remove impurities like carbon dioxide and water vapor, and a second purification device using membrane separation to remove carbon monoxide and other contaminants. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific impurities, achieving high hydrogen purity (greater than 99.9%) while managing overall system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The first purification device utilizes pressure swing adsorption, which changes the adsorption parameters of different gases under varying pressure conditions to selectively remove specific impurities. The second purification device employs membrane separation, which changes the permeation parameters based on gas solubility and diffusion coefficients. These parameter changes enable effective removal of different impurity types at different stages, enhancing fuel cell reliability
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
Significantly increases hydrogen purity by effectively removing impurities, particularly carbon monoxide, ensuring the hydrogen gas is suitable for use in fuel cells and other energy applications, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of hydrogen generation assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrogen purification using one or more hydrogen-selective membranes is a pressure driven separation process in which the one or more hydrogen-selective membranes are contained in a pressure vessel. The mixed gas stream contacts the mixed gas surface of the membrane(s), and the product stream is formed from at least a portion of the mixed gas stream that permeates through the membrane(s).
Implementation Method 2
along with additional purification methods like chemical carbon monoxide removal assemblies and pressure swing adsorption systems
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrogen purification devices and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include at least one foil-microscreen assembly disposed between and secured to first and second end frames. The at least one foil-microscreen assembly may include at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and at least one microscreen structure including a non-porous planar sheet having a plurality of apertures forming a plurality of fluid passages. The planar sheet may include generally opposed planar surfaces configured to provide support to the permeate side. The plurality of fluid passages may extend between the opposed surfaces. The at least one hydrogen-selective membrane may be metallurgically bonded to the at least one microscreen structure.