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A Membrane Reactor for High-Density Hydrogen Production
at 100 Percent Purity--REB Research and Consulting, 25451 Gardner Street, Oak Park, MI 48237;
248-545-0155
Dr. Robert E. Buxbaum, Principle Investigator
Dr. Robert E. Buxbaum, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER83089
This project hopes to develop the first high
density, nearly 100 percent energy efficient system for generating 100 percent
pure hydrogen from a safe, liquid fuel; methanol-water. This low-cost, point-of-use hydrogen supply
could be used with fuel cells to generate mobile and remote electricity
efficiently, and could be used to supply hydrogen to electronic, metallurgical,
and food applications. The aim is to
displace cylinder hydrogen in such applications. Exceptional purity and production density will be achieved by use
of a new design membrane reactor with REB Research's 100 percent selective
membranes and by operating at high pressures, about 300 psi. A recent analysis suggests that membrane
reactors change the way that pressure affects reaction extents, and does so
differently for different reactions.
This permits use of a broader range of catalysts and operating
conditions. The bleed from the reactor
will be burnt to supply heat to the endothermic reaction at nearly 100 percent
thermal efficiency. Phase I will
demonstrate greater than 10 slpm hydrogen production per liter of membrane
reactor with a methanol-water feed, and will demonstrate one month operation at
these conditions. Phase I will also
test use of more robust, less selective catalysts and will collect the data
necessary for design of the burner system and control in Phase II.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the
awardee: Remote hydrogen for chemical,
food, metallurgical and electronic manufacturers is currently a billion
dollar/year industry that is projected to grow dramatically with the
development of fuel cell power generation.
The aim of this project is to develop a system for safe, low cost
hydrogen supply at a purity and cost, that would make it attractive for use in
fuel cells and the most demanding electronic, metallurgical and food
applications.