Apparatus and methods for gas extraction

A method of extracting hydrogen from a stream containing hydrogen, said method comprising the steps of:

• dissociating hydrogen gas or hydrogen rich molecules into atomic hydrogen on a first layer of a two layer membrane selected from the group consisting of:
• palladium, palladium alloy, platinum or platinum alloys;
• extracting the dissociated hydrogen from said first layer into and through a second Pd alloy layer;
• such that said first layer isolates said second;
• and
• protecting said second layer from chemical poisons while promoting hydrogen permeation through said second layer.

An apparatus for extracting a gas from a fluid stream comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and at least one outlet for allowing fluid flow therethrough;
• and
• at least one tube extraction membrane having a first end and a second end and being axially disposed in said housing for extracting said gas from said fluid stream flowing therethrough, said extraction membrane being selected from the group consisting of:
• metallic, ceramic, and polymeric substrate materials wherein said metallic substrate material is a palladium alloy that has between one and two coatings inclusive attached thereto, and said metallic substrate material has a separation barrier wall thickness of between 0.0001 inches and 0.003 inches and said metallic substrate material has an outer diameter such that the ratio of the wall thickness to the outer diameter is between 1:55 and 1:35, and wherein said ceramic and polymeric substrate materials have a separation barrier wall thickness of between 1.times.10.sup.-6 and 0.002 inches and said ceramic and polymeric substrate materials have an outer diameter such that the ratio of the wall thickness to the outer diameter is between 1:6000 and 1:30.

An apparatus for extracting a gas from a fluid stream comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and at least one outlet for allowing fluid flow therethrough;
• at least one tube extraction membrane having a first end and a second end and being axially disposed in said housing for extracting said gas from said fluid stream flowing therethrough, said extraction membrane being selected from the group consisting of:
• metallic, ceramic, and polymeric substrate materials wherein said metallic substrate material has a separation barrier wall thickness of between 0.0001 inches and 0.003 inches and said metallic substrate material has an outer diameter such that the ratio of the wall thickness to the outer diameter is between 1:55 and 1:35, and wherein said ceramic and polymeric substrate materials have a separation barrier wall thickness of between 1.times.10.sup.-6 and 0.002 inches and said ceramic and polymeric substrate materials have an outer diameter such that the ratio of the wall thickness to the outer diameter is between 1:6000 and 1:30;
• a plurality of said tube extraction membranes;
• and
• a sealed floating head operatively attached to said tube extraction membranes thereby allowing for expansion and contraction of said membranes within said housing.

An apparatus for extracting a gas from a fluid stream comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and at least one outlet for allowing fluid flow therethrough;
• at least one tube extraction membrane having a first end and a second end and being axially disposed in said housing for extracting said gas from said fluid stream flowing therethrough, said extraction membrane being selected from the group consisting of:
• metallic, ceramic, and polymeric substrate materials wherein said metallic substrate material has a separation barrier wall thickness of between 0.0001 inches and 0.003 inches and said metallic substrate material has an outer diameter such that the ratio of the wall thickness to the outer diameter is between 1:55 and 1:35, and wherein said ceramic and polymeric substrate materials have a separation barrier wall thickness of between 1.times.10.sup.-6 and 0.002 inches and said ceramic and polymeric substrate materials have an outer diameter such that the ratio of the wall thickness to the outer diameter is between 1:6000 and 1:30;
• and
• turbulence generating means for generating turbulence in said fluid stream flowing adjacent to said membrane wherein said fluid stream is gaseous, wherein said turbulence generating means is selected from a group consisting of:
• a wire, mesh-like material, and a baffle;
• said means disposed adjacent to said extraction membrane.

A tubular membrane for extracting hydrogen from a fluid stream containing hydrogen, said membrane consisting essentially of:

• a first palladium alloy layer being permeable to hydrogen and having a first and second surface;
• and
• a material coated onto the first surface so as to form a second layer wherein said material is selected from a group consisting of:
• palladium, palladium alloys, platinum and platinum alloys.