US 5,888,273 A · High temperature gas purification system

Abstract

A high temperature membrane reactor or gas purification apparatus includes a housing containing a gas heating chamber and a gas extraction component, preferably one or more tubular membranes. The preferred application is for extracting hydrogen from a mixed gas flow or for generating hydrogen, e.g., by reforming methanol, ethanol, or gasoline. A surrounding annulus provides heat exchange and insulation by circulating the mixed gas flow about the housing and then injecting the mixed gas flow into the housing for extraction or reaction. The apparatus further includes an outlet for releasing raffinate preferably including a flow controlling restriction. Heating is provided by conducting the raffinate from the gas extraction component to the heating chamber wherein reaction with a catalyst generates heat. These features, alone or in combination, provide better energy management, better flow management, and better safety than current designs. A spring-type support for the membrane is further described which increases the maximum useable operation pressure of the membranes to take better advantage of the membrane reactor and gas purification features.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method for separating a gas at high temperature from a mixed gas flow comprising the steps of:

introducing a mixed gas flow into a housing containing a heating chamber therein;
contacting the mixed gas flow with a selectively gas permeable membrane;
allowing sufficient contact time between said membrane and the mixed gas flow for a constituent gas of the mixed gas flow to selectively pass said membrane so as to leave a raffinate deficient in the constituent gas in contact with said membrane;
conducting said raffinate into said heating chamber by means of a conduit;
reacting said raffinate exothermically in the presence of a catalyst so as to heat said housing, said membrane therein, and to produce byproducts;
venting said byproducts from said heating chamber;
and
collecting the constituent gas.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High temperature gas purification system

Life of this patent

High temperature gas purification system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28