Hydrogen Membrane Modules With Thin Porous Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydrogen-selective membranes for hydrogen separation are costly due to the use of noble metals and are prone to mechanical damage, making it challenging to incorporate thinner membranes that could increase efficiency and reduce material usage.

Innovation Solution

The development of membrane modules with a stack configuration of hydrogen-selective membranes supported by a fluid-permeable structure, including fine mesh screens and frame members of varying thicknesses to minimize mechanical stress and reduce material usage, while maintaining efficient hydrogen separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If thinner hydrogen-selective membranes are used to increase hydrogen separation efficiency and reduce noble metal cost, then the cost and material usage decrease, but the membranes become more fragile and prone to mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoble metal usageVSAvoidmembrane mechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a thin hydrogen-selective membrane (15-25 microns) supported by a porous substrate. This composite configuration allows the membrane to maintain its thin profile for cost efficiency while the porous substrate provides mechanical strength and prevents fragmentation, directly resolving the contradiction between reducing noble metal usage and maintaining mechanical reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a porous support structure with controlled porosity to back the thin hydrogen-selective membrane. The porous material provides mechanical support and structural integrity to the fragile thin membrane, enabling it to withstand operational stresses without breaking while maintaining the cost benefits of reduced membrane thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If conventional membrane support structures are used to protect thin membranes, then mechanical damage is prevented, but the cost increases and implementation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane protectionVSAvoidimplementation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible, thin porous support film that can conform to the thin hydrogen-selective membrane without requiring complex rigid support structures. This flexible support film is easier to manufacture and implement while still providing adequate mechanical protection to the fragile membrane during operation and thermal cycling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The porous support structure acts as an intermediary between the thin hydrogen-selective membrane and the external environment, providing mechanical support and protection without requiring direct complex support structures. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining membrane reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration allows for the use of thinner hydrogen-selective membranes, reducing the overall cost and increasing the efficiency of hydrogen separation by minimizing mechanical damage and optimizing membrane support, thereby enhancing the longevity and performance of the separation process.

Implementation Method 1

The hydrogen gas may diffuse through the hydrogen-selective membranes to a second, or permeate, face, or side, of the hydrogen-selective membranes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

a fluid-permeable support structure positioned between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the second hydrogen-selective membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS10476093B2Membrane modules for hydrogen separation and fuel processors and fuel cell systems including the same

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 CHUNG HSIN ELECTRIC & MACHINERY MFG

AI summary

Membrane modules for hydrogen separation and fuel processors and fuel cell systems including the same are disclosed herein. The membrane modules include a plurality of membrane packs. Each membrane pack includes a first hydrogen-selective membrane, a second hydrogen-selective membrane, and a fluid-permeable support structure positioned between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the second hydrogen-selective membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane modules also include a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member, and a thickness of the permeate-side frame member may be less than a thickness of the mixed gas-side frame member. In some embodiments, the support structure includes a screen structure that includes two fine mesh screens. The two fine mesh screens may include a plain weave fine mesh screen and/or a Dutch weave fine mesh screen. The fine mesh screens may be selected to provide at most 100 micrometers of undulation in the hydrogen-selective membranes.