Hydrogen Purification Device With Selective Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen generation assemblies produce hydrogen gas with impurities, requiring effective purification to increase hydrogen purity for applications like energy production in fuel cells, but existing methods may not adequately remove all impurities, particularly harmful components like carbon monoxide.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen purification device with hydrogen-selective membranes and a fuel processing assembly that includes a reforming catalyst and multiple operational modes to manage hydrogen production and purification, using a buffer tank and control assembly to optimize hydrogen stream management and purification efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen generation assembly produces hydrogen gas via steam reforming or other mechanisms, then hydrogen gas is generated, but the generated hydrogen gas contains impurities that reduce purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by removing impurities from the hydrogen gas stream through a purification device. The purification device separates harmful components like carbon monoxide and other contaminants from the generated hydrogen gas, extracting only the pure hydrogen component for downstream applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a purification device as an intermediary component between the hydrogen generation assembly and the fuel cell stack. This intermediary device processes the impure hydrogen stream, removing contaminants before the gas reaches the fuel cell, thus protecting the sensitive fuel cell components.
2Manufacturing precision
If hydrogen purification device uses hydrogen-selective membranes to separate mixed gas stream, then hydrogen purity is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems with hydrogen-selective membranes that utilize selective permeability properties. Instead of multiple mechanical stages for separation, the system uses the inherent selective transport properties of the membrane material to achieve purification, simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous or selectively permeable membrane materials that allow hydrogen to pass through while blocking other gases. These specialized materials provide the separation function through their intrinsic pore structure and selective permeability, reducing the need for complex external separation mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fuel processing assembly operates in multiple modes to manage hydrogen production, then operational flexibility is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operational modes that allow the fuel processing assembly to adapt to different operating conditions. The system can switch between modes such as reforming, oxidation, and standby states based on demand, utilizing dynamic control of fuel and air flow rates to optimize performance for different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the fuel processing assembly to perform multiple functions within a single integrated unit. The same assembly can conduct steam reforming, partial oxidation, and hydrogen purification operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function and reducing overall complexity.
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 effectively increases hydrogen purity by selectively removing impurities, ensuring the hydrogen stream is suitable for energy production applications, particularly in fuel cells, by utilizing hydrogen-selective membranes and a controlled fuel processing assembly.
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
The feedstocks are delivered to a hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen generation assembly from a feedstock delivery system, typically with the feedstocks being delivered under pressure and at elevated temperatures. The hydrogen generation assembly may generate hydrogen gas via any suitable mechanism(s), such as steam reforming, autothermal reforming, pyrolysis, and/or catalytic partial oxidation.
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrogen generation assemblies, hydrogen purification devices, and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include a permeate frame with a membrane support structure having first and second membrane support plates that are free from perforations and that include a plurality of microgrooves configured to provide flow channels for at least part of the permeate stream. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a return conduit fluidly connecting a buffer tank and a reformate conduit, a return valve assembly configured to manage flow in the return conduit, and a control assembly configured to operate a fuel processing assembly between run and standby modes based, at least in part, on detected pressure in the buffer tank and configured to direct the return valve assembly to allow product hydrogen stream to flow from the buffer tank to the reformate conduit when the fuel processing assembly is in the standby mode.