System and method for reducing thermal shock in a hydrogen diffusion cell

In a hydrogen purification system that uses a hydrogen diffusion cell, wherein the hydrogen diffusion cell separates hydrogen gas from unpurified gases, a method of thermal preparation comprising the steps of:

• heating said hydrogen diffusion cell to an operational temperature;
• introducing unpurified gases into said hydrogen diffusion cell, wherein said hydrogen diffusion cell separates hydrogen gas from said unpurified gases;
• providing a heat exchanger through which both said unpurified gas and said hydrogen gas pass, wherein heat is exchanged between said hydrogen gas and said unpurified gas without said hydrogen gas and said unpurified gas mixing;
• and
• providing a preheater, disposed between said heat exchanger and said hydrogen diffusion cell, for heating said unpurified gases to said operational temperature before said unpurified gases enter said hydrogen diffusion cell.

A method of operation for a hydrogen purification system, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a hydrogen diffusion cell;
• heating said hydrogen diffusion cell to a predetermined operational temperature;
• providing unpurified gases to said hydrogen diffusion cell, wherein said hydrogen diffusion cell separates hydrogen gas from said unpurified gases;
• providing a heat exchanger through which both said unpurified gas and said hydrogen gas pass, wherein heat is exchanged between said hydrogen gas and said unpurified gas without said hydrogen gas and said unpurified gas mixing;
• and
• providing a preheater, disposed between said heat exchanger and said hydrogen diffusion cell, for heating said unpurified gases to said operational temperature before said unpurified gases enter said hydrogen diffusion cell.