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Dr. S. Elangovan, Principal Investigator,
Mr. Raymond K. Miller, Business
Official,
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83828
Amount:
$749,818
Integrated
Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems are promising new alternatives for
highly efficient and environmentally friendly power generation.
In order to make these systems commercially viable, a portion of the
hydrogen in syngas needs to be recovered as a value-added byproduct through the
use of hydrogen separation membranes such as proton-conducting membranes.
Since current membrane technologies for hydrogen separation are
incompatible with the high-temperature, high-pressure environment in IGCC
systems, robust and efficient membrane systems are required.
This project will develop a novel, dense, ceramic-composite membrane that
will function as a mixed protonic/electronic conductor under expected IGCC
operating conditions. These
mixed-conducting composite membranes will allow pressure-driven hydrogen
separation at 800-900oC, and at higher flux-rates than possible with
single phase membranes, thus resulting in a very-high-purity hydrogen stream.
In Phase I, the feasibility of the process for forming mixed conducting
protonic/electronic conductors was demonstrated.
It was determined that a flux of over 9 cc/cm2/min through a
15 cm membrane can be achieved. Additionally,
it was demonstrated that the new materials have increased thermochemcial
stability in CO2-containing atmospheres, compared to materials in
conventional proton conductors. In
Phase II, a single-wafer module will be built and tested to demonstrate the
hydrogen flux necessary for commercial feasibility.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The hydrogen separation membrane should have a major impact on the commercial feasibility of IGCC systems and other industrial hydrogen recovery/separation processes. Further, this membrane should be applicable to such emerging technologies as intermediate-temperature fuel cells based on proton-conducting electrolytes.