US 10,476,093 B2Granted

Membrane modules for hydrogen separation and fuel processors and fuel cell systems including the same

AssigneeChung-Hsin Electric & Machinery Mfg. Corp.

InventorsCharles R. Hill, Vernon Wade Popham

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Membrane modules for hydrogen separation and fuel processors and fuel cell systems including the same are disclosed herein. The membrane modules include a plurality of membrane packs. Each membrane pack includes a first hydrogen-selective membrane, a second hydrogen-selective membrane, and a fluid-permeable support structure positioned between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the second hydrogen-selective membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane modules also include a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member, and a thickness of the permeate-side frame member may be less than a thickness of the mixed gas-side frame member. In some embodiments, the support structure includes a screen structure that includes two fine mesh screens. The two fine mesh screens may include a plain weave fine mesh screen and/or a Dutch weave fine mesh screen. The fine mesh screens may be selected to provide at most 100 micrometers of undulation in the hydrogen-selective membranes.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A membrane module for hydrogen separation, the membrane module comprising:

a plurality of membrane packs, wherein each membrane pack comprises:
(i) a first hydrogen-selective membrane defining a first permeate face and an opposed first mixed gas face;
(ii) a second hydrogen-selective membrane defining a second permeate face and an opposed second mixed gas face;
(iii) a fluid-permeable support structure positioned between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the second hydrogen-selective membrane such that the support structure physically contacts, and supports, at least a central region of the first permeate face and at least a central region of the second permeate face and also such that the central region of the first permeate face is spaced-apart from the central region of the second permeate face;
(iv) a first permeate-side frame member interposed between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the support structure such that the first permeate-side frame member physically contacts, and supports, a peripheral region of the first permeate face and a peripheral region of the support structure;
(v) a second permeate-side frame member interposed between the second hydrogen-selective membrane and the support structure such that the second permeate-side frame member physically contacts, and supports, a peripheral region of the second permeate face and the peripheral region of the support structure;
(vi) a first mixed gas-side frame member positioned to physically contact, and support, a peripheral region of the first mixed gas face;
and
(vii) a second mixed gas-side frame member positioned to physically contact, and support, a peripheral region of the second mixed gas face;
wherein at least one of:
(i) a thickness of the first permeate-side frame member is less than a thickness of the first mixed gas-side frame member;
and
(ii) a thickness of the second permeate-side frame member is less than a thickness of the second mixed gas-side frame member.

10 more elements

A membrane module for hydrogen separation, the membrane module comprising:

a plurality of membrane packs, wherein each membrane pack comprises:
(i) a first hydrogen-selective membrane defining a first permeate face and an opposed first mixed gas face;
(ii) a second hydrogen-selective membrane defining a second permeate face and an opposed second mixed gas face;
and
(iii) a fluid-permeable support structure positioned between the first hydrogen-selective membrane and the second hydrogen-selective membrane such that the support structure physically contacts, and supports, at least a central region of the first permeate face and at least a central region of the second permeate face and also such that the central region of the first permeate face is spaced-apart from the central region of the second permeate face, wherein:
a) the support structure includes a screen structure that includes two fine mesh screens;
b) the two fine mesh screens include at least one of a plain weave fine mesh screen and a Dutch weave fine mesh screen;
and
c) the at least one of the plain weave fine mesh screen and the Dutch weave fine mesh screen has a shute wire diameter that is selected to provide at most 100 micrometers of undulation within the first hydrogen-selective membrane and also within the second hydrogen-selective membrane.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/483,767Filed 10 Apr 2017 · us provisional application
Priority: 15 Apr 2016
Published: US 2017/0301940 A119 Oct 2017
Granted: 12 Nov 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

H01M 8/0687
Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning: reactant purification by the use of membranes or filters
B01D 53/227
Multiple stage diffusion: in parallel connexion
B01D 63/0822
Comprising a stack of flat membranes: plate-and-frame devices
C01B 3/323
By reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide or air: catalytic reaction of gaseous or…