Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic synthesis – Preparing nonmetal element
Utility Patent
1998-09-08
2001-01-02
Phasge, Arun S. (Department: 1741)
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic synthesis
Preparing nonmetal element
C205S763000, C205S765000, C429S010000
Utility Patent
active
06168705
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a hydrogen purification system and process, and especially relates to an electrochemical hydrogen purification process and system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydrogen manufacturing typically comprises the reformation of hydrocarbon fuels such as methane, natural gas, methanol, or gasoline. In one process the hydrocarbon fuel is injected into a catalyst bed and heated by steam or other means until the hydrocarbon breaks down to form hydrogen gas and carbon containing gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The product hydrogen must then be separated from these gaseous byproducts as well as excess fuel gases or vapors. This separation typically employs a pressure swing absorption, temperature swing absorption, permeoselective membranes or cryogenic separation.
Product hydrogen is used in many different applications as a process fluid, reactant, or for its special low molecular weight properties. In many of these applications, such as heating, petroleum refining, or food processing, small quantities of resident carbon containing gases or vapors in the hydrogen stream does not constitute a problem. For other applications, such as reducing microelectronic wafers, acting as a carrier gas for laboratory analyses, and as a fuel for fuel cells, the hydrogen purity is very important since the presence of carbon containing contaminants results in deleterious effects on the process and/or system. For these applications, hydrogen is typically purified by passing the hydrogen through thin palladium membranes. This process, which represents a final clean-up step for the hydrogen stream, is very expensive due to the high capital cost of the equipment and process costs.
What is needed in the art is a simple, efficient hydrogen purification process which can be readily employed in various systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject of the current invention is an electrochemical device which makes use of a proton exchange membrane to effect a separation of hydrogen from contaminants such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The method of the present invention for purifying hydrogen comprises: introducing a contaminated hydrogen stream to an anode of an electrochemical cell; applying a voltage across the membrane assembly (anode/membrane/cathode) wherein the voltage is less than that which will cause water electrolysis; oxidizing the hydrogen in the hydrogen stream on said anode to form protons; moving the protons from the anode, across the membrane to the cathode; and recombining the protons to form substantially pure hydrogen gas.
The above description and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.
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Molter Trent M.
Smith William F.
Cantor & Colburn LLP
Phasge Arun S,.
Proton Energy Systems
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