Catalytic activation of ceramic H2 membranes for CMR processes

[EN] The application of catalytic membrane reactors can overcome some of the disadvantages that reactions for the direct conversion of methane to fuels and petrochemicals present. Hydrogen separation membranes can shift the reaction equilibrium by hydrogen removal, improving the separation, selectivity and yield of the reactions. La5.5WO11.25-delta/La0.87Sr0.13CrO3-delta (LWO/LSC) based membranes present a high H-2 flux within the temperature range where CMR can be applied. However, the catalytic activity of the material is very low and it has to be improved. This work presents the development of different catalytic layers based on LSC material and the study of their influence on the H-2 flux obtained by using 60/40-LWO/LSC membranes. Membranes coated with porous layer made of Ni-infiltrated La0.75Ce0.1Sr0.15CrO3-delta exhibited the best permeation flux but still 20% lower than the one reached using Pt layers. Stability of the catalytic layers is also evaluated under H2 permeation conditions and under high steam content methane. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Financial support by the Spanish Government (Grants ENE2014-57651-R, CSD-2009-0050 and SEV-2012-0267) and CoorsTek Membrane Sciences is kindly acknowledged. The authors are indebted to M. Fabuel for sample preparation. The support of the Servicio de Microscopia Electronica of the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia is also acknowledged.Escolástico Rozalén, S.; Kjolseth, C.; Serra Alfaro, JM. (2016). Catalytic activation of ceramic H2 membranes for CMR processes. Journal of Membrane Science. 517:57-63. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2016.06.017S576351

Thermo-electrochemical production of compressed hydrogen from methane with near-zero energy loss

[EN] Conventional production of hydrogen requires large industrial plants to minimize energy losses and capital costs associated with steam reforming, water-gas shift, product separation and compression. Here we present a protonic membrane reformer (PMR) that produces high-purity hydrogen from steam methane reforming in a single-stage process with near-zero energy loss. We use a BaZrO3-based proton-conducting electrolyte deposited as a dense film on a porous Ni composite electrode with dual function as a reforming catalyst. At 800 degrees C, we achieve full methane conversion by removing 99% of the formed hydrogen, which is simultaneously compressed electrochemically up to 50 bar. A thermally balanced operation regime is achieved by coupling several thermo-chemical processes. Modelling of a small-scale (10 kg H-2 day-1) hydrogen plant reveals an overall energy efficiency of >87%. 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