Thang V. Pham

Microporous silica membranes: fundamentals and applications in membrane reactors for hydrogen separation

This chapter discusses the research and development of membrane reactors, incorporating microporous silica-based membranes, specifically for hydrogen production. Microporous silica membranes are first introduced alongside a discussion of relevant gas transport mechanisms, membrane performance parameters, membrane reactor designs and membrane reactor performance metrics. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of the various research investigations where silica membrane reactors have been used to produce hydrogen and/or syngas from hydrocarbon reforming reactions. Of particular importance here is the hydrothermal instability of silica-based membranes at the required operating temperatures and so the chapter closes by presenting the future research trends and industrial design challenges and considerations of silica-based membrane reactors.