Thin Palladium Membrane Gas Separation Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separation devices for hydrogen from syngas are inefficient due to thick palladium membranes, which slow down the hydrogen flow and are costly, requiring high implementation costs.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation device with thin, planar palladium membranes (less than 10 micrometres thick) and a modular design, utilizing a steel mesh structure to enhance hydrogen flow and reduce costs, allowing for scalable and efficient separation of hydrogen from syngas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thick palladium membranes are used, then membrane strength and durability are improved, but hydrogen flow rate decreases and implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film membranes with thickness less than 10 micrometres to increase hydrogen permeation rate. The thin film structure allows faster hydrogen diffusion while maintaining sufficient mechanical integrity through proper support structures, directly resolving the contradiction between membrane thickness and hydrogen flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite membrane structures combining palladium or palladium alloys with support materials. This composite approach provides the necessary mechanical strength while maintaining thin active membrane layers for high hydrogen flux, thus improving productivity without sacrificing durability.
2Strength
If thick palladium membranes are used, then membrane strength is improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using thin film membranes instead of thick membranes, the amount of expensive palladium material is significantly reduced. The thin film structure maintains sufficient strength through proper support and tensioning, thereby reducing material costs while ensuring operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane system is divided into thin active layers and separate support structures. This segmentation allows the expensive palladium to be used only where necessary for hydrogen separation, while cheaper materials provide mechanical support, reducing overall implementation cost.
3Productivity
If thin membranes are used, then hydrogen flow rate is improved, but membrane strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The thin membrane is combined with support structures or composite materials that provide mechanical strength. The active thin membrane layer enables high hydrogen flux while the composite structure or support substrate prevents membrane failure, resolving the strength-thickness trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin film is designed with appropriate flexibility and tensioning to maintain structural integrity during operation. The thin film structure is supported by frames or mounting systems that distribute stresses, preventing rupture while maintaining the thin configuration for high permeability.
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 device significantly improves hydrogen flow rates and reduces costs by using thinner membranes and a modular design, making it suitable for large-scale hydrogen separation from syngas while maintaining efficiency and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogen diffuses through the membrane and is thereby separated from the other gasses in the gas mixture that are unable to pass through the membrane
Implementation Method 2
the first and second membranes are both permeable by at least a first gas and not permeable by one or more other gasses
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a gas separation section for separating a first gas from one or more other gasses in a separation device, the gas separation section comprising: a first membrane that is substantially planar; a second membrane that is substantially planar; a first substrate that has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the first substrate is on an opposite side of the first substrate than the first surface of the first substrate; a second substrate that has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second substrate is on an opposite side of the second substrate than the first surface of the second substrate; and a mesh that is arranged between the second surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate; wherein: the first substrate and the second substrate are sintered plates; the first membrane is on the first surface of the first substrate; the second membrane is on the first surface of the second substrate; the first and second membranes are both permeable by at least a first gas and not permeable by one or more other gasses; the thickness of the first membrane in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the first membrane is less than 10 micrometres; and the thickness of the second membrane in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the second membrane is less than 10 micrometres. Embodiments provide an improved gas separation device over known techniques. Advantages of the separation device according to embodiment include improved performance, easy implementation, a modular design and a scalable design.