Advanced SiC-Based Membranes for Hydrogen Separation

76219-In order to minimize our dependence on foreign fossil fuels and improve our environment, the DOE has embarked on the development of hydrogen-based power production. As part of this development, it will be necessary to separate hydrogen from the synthesis gas derived from coal gasification, an operation requiring high-temperature membranes. This project will develop chemically durable, SiC-based hydrogen separation membranes with permeance and selectivity performance suitable for the purification of hydrogen from synthesis gas derived from coal gasification. In Phase I, the SiC-based hydrogen separation membranes will be developed using novel chemistries and fabrication approaches. These membranes will be analyzed for permeability and selectivity of hydrogen, and for durability in a high-temperature CO2/H2O environment. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The membranes should find use in the purification of hydrogen from synthesis gas. The hydrogen itself would be used in fuel cell power production, fuel desulphurization, and chemicals production by hydrogenation reactions. The membranes also may be used in catalytic membrane reactors for dehydrogenation and water gas shift reactors.