Composite Catalytic-Permselective Membranes for H2 Purification

Our research group is developing a novel composite catalytic-permselective membrane design approach, in which a permselective film (e.g., polymeric, metallic) is integrated with a porous catalytic film such that reaction and diffusion within the catalytic layer directly modifies the gas composition at the surface of the underlying permselective barrier [1]. In this talk, we will review general design rules for implementing this strategy for hydrogen purification from diesel reformate mixtures using water-gas-shift as the enhancing catalytic reaction. Detailed two-dimensional simulations and preliminary experimental results will be presented to demonstrate this strategy for (i) enhancing the permeance of palladium membranes, and (ii) enhancing the permselectivity of polymeric membranes.

[1] B.A. Wilhite. Composite Catalytic-Permselective Membranes: A Novel Strategy for Enhancing Selectivity and Permeation Rates via Reaction and Diffusion. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2011, 50(17), 10185-10193.