US 2001/0039759 A1 · Hydrogen generator

Abstract

A hydrogen separation filter includes a plurality of hydrogen extraction layers, a plurality of separation layers with hydrogen separation films, and a plurality of reformed gas layers, which are laid one upon another in the sequence of the extraction layer, the separation layer, the reformed gas layer, and the separation layer to form a laminate structure. The respective layers are composed of porous ceramic material to ensure the required strength. The direction of the gas flow in the reformed gas layers and that in the extraction layers are respectively fixed to simplify the gas intake and discharge structure. The hydrogen separation filter is covered with a casing via a cushioning member to ensure the sufficient strength and the required sealing properties. A methanation catalyst that accelerates methanation of carbon monoxide is carried on either the separation layer or the extraction layer. This arrangement effectively relieves the adverse effects of contamination of resulting hydrogen with carbon monoxide, due to a pinhole or a partial damage of the layers.

Claims52

Dependent claims

A hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen from a predetermined material, said hydrogen generator comprising:

a porous gaseous mixture layer through which a gaseous mixture including hydrogen passes;
a hydrogen separation layer that allows only the hydrogen to selectively permeate therethrough for separation of the hydrogen;
and
a porous hydrogen extraction layer through which a hydrogen rich gas passes, the hydrogen rich gas mainly containing the hydrogen selectively permeating the hydrogen separation layer,
wherein the respective layers form a laminate structure, in which the hydrogen separation layer is interposed between the gaseous mixture layer and the hydrogen extraction layer.

2 more elements

A hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen from a predetermined material, said hydrogen generator comprising:

a gaseous mixture layer through which a gaseous mixture including hydrogen passes;
a hydrogen separation layer that allows only the hydrogen to selectively permeate therethrough for separation of the hydrogen;
and
a hydrogen extraction layer through which a hydrogen rich gas passes, the hydrogen rich gas mainly containing the hydrogen selectively permeating the hydrogen separation layer,
wherein each of the gaseous mixture layer and the hydrogen extraction layer comprises a metal frame having a gas inlet and a gas outlet on side faces thereof, and the respective layers form a laminate structure by joining the metal frames with each other in such a manner that the hydrogen separation layer is interposed between the gaseous mixture layer and the hydrogen extraction layer.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hydrogen generator

Life of this patent

Hydrogen generator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52