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What Are Hydrogen Separation Membranes?

Hydrogen separation involves separating molecules of hydrogen from a stream of mixed gasses, resulting in a stream of purified hydrogen gas. One example of an application for hydrogen separation would be processing the synthesis gas of coal, natural gas, and biomass. The process is a beneficial technique for helping ultimately create clean energy, and various types of hydrogen separation membranes are available to meet the purification needs of different applications.

Benefits of Hydrogen Separation Membranes

Pure hydrogen has growing applications as a fuel source. For example, hydrogen-powered fuel cells benefit from increased efficiency compared to power-generation solutions that rely on combustion. Additionally, these cells produce cleaner energy, eliminating the potential byproducts of pollutants and greenhouse gasses. Their scalability also makes them ideal for use in facilities of nearly any size.

While the standard method for hydrogen production is to burn fossil fuels, this process requires high volumes of natural resources like coal and natural gas, all while emitting excessive amounts of carbon dioxide. Increased awareness of environmental concerns has some industries investigating green hydrogen production.

One such way to effectively generate and purify hydrogen gas is to utilize hydrogen separation membranes. These membranes are selective, preventing all gasses except hydrogen gas from passing through them, which allows for efficient gas separation and results in green hydrogen. The ideal membrane separation option for your application will vary based on your unique needs.

An In-Depth Look At Hydrogen Production Economics and Technologies

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Types of Hydrogen Separation Membranes

Depending on the specific process requirements, there are multiple types of hydrogen separation membranes available to you for hydrogen purification. Some examples include:

  • Palladium-based membranes. Hydrogen-selective palladium-based membranes facilitate hydrogen separation with their high level of permeability, effectively resulting in uncontaminated hydrogen. Common applications for these membranes include water gas shifting and steam reforming. Electroless plating is a typical deposition method for creating the membrane’s palladium layer.
  • Polymer membranes. Water treatment with these semi-permeable membranes of polymer construction utilizes pressure to achieve separation at the micron level. Applicable for high-volume treatment operations, the membranes use polymers such as polyamide, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and cellulose acetate.
  • Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) membranes. COF membranes are unique for their ease of use, large surface area, and modifiable pore size. These membranes are part of the porous crystalline family, and they have applications in water treatment facilities for hydrogen separation.
  • Microporous inorganic membranes. These membranes offer certain benefits over polymeric membranes, including increased permeance, resistance to higher thermal and pressure conditions, and selectivity. They’re comprised of multiple inorganic materials, such as silica, zeolites, zirconia, and alumina, among others. They feature defined pore structures with a porous layer overtop an intermediate layer and macroporous support.

Hydrogen Production Processes by Re:Build Manufacturing

If you’re interested in optimizing your hydrogen production operations with hydrogen separation membranes or related process technology, the experts at Re:Build Manufacturing LLC are here to help with imaginative ideas that drive efficiency, profits, and scalable growth. For the energy and power sector, we apply engineering and scientific principles to conceptualize and produce green energy systems that use hydrogen as well as methanol, biomass, solar, and wind power.

Our team specializes in component manufacturing, system production, product innovation, and industrial automation solutions. Dedicated to supporting U.S. industry, our family of engineering and manufacturing companies handles diverse projects for markets ranging from aerospace and defense to health and lifestyle.

We provide turnkey results and multidisciplinary expertise, collaborating with you from a product’s planning and design through its manufacturing and distribution. With 400 engineers working in Re:Build facilities across the nation, we can also assist you with brand development, operations management, and product lifecycle management.

Contact us today to speak with a member of our team for additional information about your needs for high-performance hydrogen separation solutions.

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