Development of dense ceramic membranes for hydrogen separation.

We developed novel cermet (i.e., ceramic-metal composite) membranes for separating hydrogen from gas mixtures at high temperature and pressure. The hydrogen permeation rate in the temperature range of 600-900 C was determined for three classes of cermet membranes (ANL-1, ANL-2, and ANL-3). Among these membranes, ANL-3 showed the highest hydrogen permeation rate, with a maximum flux of 3.2 cm{sup 3}/min-cm{sup 2} for a 0.23-mm-thick membrane at 900 C. Effects of membrane thickness and hydrogen partial pressure on permeation rate indicated that bulk diffusion of hydrogen is rate-limiting for ANL-3 membranes. The lack of degradation in permeation rate during exposure to a simulated syngas mixture suggests that ANL-3 membranes are chemically stable and suitable for long-term operation