Hydrogen gas separator system having a micro-channel construction with a tubular wire insert for retaining catalyst material

A hydrogen separator assembly comprising:

• an enclosed housing;
• a hydrogen separator disposed within the enclosed housing and including:
• (a) an outer tube having an inside diameter;
• (b) an inner tube at least partially coaxially disposed within the outer tube and having an outside diameter, wherein the difference between the outside diameter of the inner tube and the inside diameter of the outer tube is no greater than 300 microns, whereby a micro-channel is provided between the inner tube and the outer tube;
• and
• (c) a tubular wire structure disposed at least partially within the micro-channel, wherein one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a hydrogen permeable material that is capped at one end, the other of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a non-reactive alloy and is open at both ends, and the tubular wire structure comprises a catalyst material;
• and
• at least one heating element provided externally to the housing and operative to heat the hydrogen separator to at least 300 degrees centigrade.