Membranes

Hydrogen transport membranes are developed to produce ultra-pure hydrogen for clean IGCCFC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Fuel Cell) power plants and to enable economic sequestration of CO₂. Using gasification, production of H₂ from plentiful domestic resources such as coal and biomass have proven to be difficult due to technical and cost limitations related to separating H₂ from CO₂ as well as CO₂ sequestration. Energy independence in the United States is enhanced through the use of domestic coal and biomass resources in addition to the use of high pressure CO₂ produced for tertiary oil recovery.

Southern Research scientists and engineers have developed a novel membrane-system concept to improve the economic and technical viability of coal gasification for H₂ production and carbon sequestration and/or conversion to other valuable products. Features of this innovative system include:

• Syngas polishing
• High-temperature secondary water-gas shift reaction
• Hydrogen separation
• High-pressure CO₂ generation (up to 1000 psig depending on the gasifier design)

Our novel membrane system eliminates the need for several separate unit operations and the associated capital equipment costs. These advantages are accomplished through a process intensification, which involves combining multiple functions in a single system, maintaining high pressure, and controlling water-gas shift equilibrium through H₂ removal.