Separating hydrogen from a mixture of substances

US4944777A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Walter T. Shmayda · King City, CA
• Francois Waelbroeck · Jülich, DE
• Peter Wienhold · Jülich, DE
• Joerg Winter · Niederzier, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 16, 1985
• Grant date: Jul 31, 1990
• Expiry date: Sep 16, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B2203/0405
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In separating hydrogen from a mixture of gases by diffusion through a non-porous membrane which is selectively permeable to hydrogen, the hydrogen being at least partially dissociated prior to being contacted with the membrane, the membrane is made up of at least two layers of different materials. The layer on the upstream side of the membrane is less dissolving to hydrogen and has a lower release rate constant at 300.degree. C. than the layer on the downstream side. The membrane may consist of an iron diaphragm with a thin coating of copper on the upstream side.