Silica Glass Hydrogen Membrane Thermal Shock Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen separation membranes face issues with mechanical strength, thermal shock resistance, and cost due to materials like palladium alloy and silica glass, which are prone to embrittlement and peeling, making them unsuitable for mass production and high-temperature applications.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing a hydrogen separation material involving a porous silica glass support with a dense silica glass membrane formed through surface modification using CO2 laser, plasma arc, or oxyhydrogen flame, ensuring a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 2 × 10^-6 K or less, and adding rare earth elements or Group 4B elements for enhanced mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a palladium alloy membrane is used for hydrogen separation, then high-purity hydrogen can be obtained, but the mechanical strength is lowered by hydrogen embrittlement and the membrane is damaged by alloying with impurities
Solution Approach 1:
A porous zirconia support layer is introduced as an intermediary between the hydrogen separation membrane and the external environment. This support provides mechanical strength and stability while allowing the thin palladium alloy membrane to maintain its hydrogen separation function without direct mechanical stress
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure combining a thin palladium alloy membrane with a porous zirconia support. The composite material leverages the hydrogen permeability of palladium alloy while the zirconia provides mechanical strength and resistance to embrittlement and impurity damage
2Device complexity
If a silica glass membrane is used for hydrogen separation, then the membrane structure is simplified, but the silica glass membrane peels from the porous alumina support due to thermal expansion mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal expansion parameter of the support material by replacing alumina with zirconia. Zirconia has a thermal expansion coefficient closer to silica glass, reducing thermal stress during temperature changes and preventing membrane peeling while maintaining the simple membrane structure
3Ease of manufacture
If a porous alumina support is used, then the support structure is simple, but the support suffers from damage due to abrupt temperature change
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the support from alumina to zirconia, which has superior thermal shock resistance. This allows the support to withstand abrupt temperature changes in the membrane reactor while maintaining ease of manufacture through similar porous structure fabrication processes
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 provides a hydrogen separation material with improved thermal shock resistance, strong adhesion between the membrane and support, and excellent hydrogen separation characteristics, suitable for high-purity hydrogen production with reduced costs and increased efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a silica-based hydrogen permselective membrane for allowing hydrogen to permeable therethrough selectively is formed on the surface of a porous support
Implementation Method 2
surface modification using CO2 laser, plasma arc, or oxyhydrogen flame
Implementation Method 3
surface modification using CO2 laser, plasma arc, or oxyhydrogen flame
Implementation Method 4
surface modification using CO2 laser, plasma arc, or oxyhydrogen flame
Implementation Method 5
ensuring a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 2 × 10^-6 K or less
Implementation Method 6
improved thermal shock resistance
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen separation material resistant to thermal shock, excellent in hydrogen separation characteristic and applicable to a hydrogen separation membrane, etc. and a manufacturing method thereof, as well as a hydrogen separation module and a hydrogen production apparatus comprising the same. In the hydrogen separation material, a silica glass membrane is formed on a porous support having a linear expansion coefficient of 2 × 10-6/K or less. The manufacturing method for the hydrogen separation material includes a porous support forming step of forming a porous support comprising porous silica glass and a silica glass membrane forming step of forming a silica glass membrane on the surface of the porous silica glass. The hydrogen separation module comprises the hydrogen separation material and a steam reforming catalyst. The hydrogen production apparatus comprises the hydrogen separation module.