A. Navajas

Advances in Hydrogen Separation and Purification with Membrane Technology

Hydrogen economy is a situation where hydrogen is used as the major carrier of energy. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are some of the most interesting candidates to cover the necessity of new technologies that use hydrogen as fuel. PEMFCs are fueled by highly pure hydrogen, which is industrially produced as a hydrogen-rich stream mainly via steam reforming of natural gas; it is then further purified to achieve the desired quality. Nowadays, membrane-based processes are considered to be the most promising technologies for the production of high-purity hydrogen. For hydrogen separation, polymeric, metallic, mixed matrix and ceramic membranes have been extensively studied. In this chapter, the principal results and technical advances for hydrogen separation membranes are summarized. H 2 could be selectively removed from the reaction system and higher conversion be obtained even at lower temperatures if the membrane is coupled to catalytic reactors (membrane reactors (MRs)). The use of palladium and silica membranes into MRs is reviewed.