Systems and methods for maintaining hydrogen-selective membranes during periods of inactivity
US8673510B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for maintaining hydrogen-selective membranes during periods of inactivity. These systems and methods may include heating and maintaining at least the hydrogen-selective membrane of a hydrogen-producing fuel processing system in a thermally buffered state and/or controlling the chemical composition of the gas streams that may come into contact with the hydrogen-selective membrane. Controlling the chemical composition of the gas streams that may come into contact with the hydrogen-selective membrane may include maintaining a positive pressure of an inert, blanket, reducing, and/or non-oxidizing gas within the membrane separation assembly and/or periodically supplying a reducing gas stream to the membrane separation assembly. These systems and methods may further include periodically supplying a feed stream to a hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen-producing fuel processing system to produce a mixed gas stream and supplying the mixed gas stream to the membrane separation assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.