US 12,226,732 B2
Membrane-based hydrogen purifiers
Charles R. Hill, Bend, OR (US)
Assigned to H2 PowerTech, LLC, Bend, OR (US)
Filed by H2 PowerTech, LLC, Bend, OR (US)
Filed on Jun. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/212,040.
Application 18/212,040 is a continuation of application No. 17/107,523, filed on Nov. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,712,655.
Prior Publication US 2023/0330593 A1, Oct. 19, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01D 53/22 (2006.01); C01B 3/50 (2006.01); H01M 8/0662 (2016.01)
CPC B01D 53/227 (2013.01) [C01B 3/503 (2013.01); H01M 8/0687 (2013.01); B01D 2053/222 (2013.01); C01B 2203/0405 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydrogen purifier comprising a hydrogen-separation membrane module, the membrane module comprising:
at least one membrane cell, comprising:
(i) a hydrogen-selective membrane defining a permeate face and an opposed mixed gas face; wherein the hydrogen-selective membrane is formed from a palladium alloy, has a hardness, and has a thickness of at most 20 microns;
(ii) a fluid-permeable support structure that physically contacts and supports at least a central region of the permeate face;
(iii) a permeate-side frame member interposed between the hydrogen-selective membrane and the fluid-permeable support structure such that the permeate-side frame member physically contacts a peripheral region of the permeate face and a peripheral region of the fluid-permeable support structure;
(iv) a mixed gas-side frame member that physically contacts a peripheral region of the mixed gas face of the hydrogen-selective membrane; wherein the mixed gas-side frame member has a thickness of at most 350 microns;
wherein at least the mixed gas-side frame member is a graphite frame member;
wherein the graphite frame member comprises a granular particulate having a non-graphite composition, wherein the granular particulate has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the hydrogen-selective membrane; and wherein the granular particulate has a maximum dimension that is at most 400 microns.