Hydrogen separation studies in a membrane reactor system: Influence of feed gas flow rate, temperature and concentration of the feed gases on hydrogen permeation

The aim of this study was to investigate H2 separation using the membrane separation technology. The results of permeation using pure H2 and binary mixtures of H2/N2 are presented.The main operating parameters that can affect the permeability of the inorganic Pd-based membrane, such as temperature (at 723, 653 and 593 K), pressure (from 100 to 250 kPa), concentration of the feed gases (from 17.2 to 75 (% v/v) of H2), and gas space velocity (GHSV) were studied (from 507 to 8108 h−1). Furthermore, an identification of the inhibition factors to permeability was performed. In addition, the maximum permeation of hydrogen in pure H2 and H2/N2 binary mixtures was determined.Results showed that temperature, feed flux, and gas composition had a strong influence on the hydrogen recovery (HR).