Original hybrid membrane-catalytic reactor for the Co-Production of syngas and ultrapure hydrogen in the processes of dry and steam reforming of methane, ethanol and DME

An original hybrid membrane-catalytic reactor (HMCR) was developed for the co-production of syngas and ultrapure hydrogen from fossil and renewable organic sources (methane and ethanol), as well as from synthetic feedstock (dimethyl ether) via dry and steam reforming. HMCR is a facility in which a porous ceramic catalytic converter prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is integrated with a hydrogen-selective palladium-containing membrane. Due to separation of hydrogen from the reaction site and according to Le Chatelier-Brown principle it enables reforming to proceed effectively under milder temperature conditions as compared to a conventional reactor with a stationary bulk catalyst bed. On the basis of HMCR there can be developed mobile and small-size ultrapure hydrogen production units for fine processes of organic synthesis and electricity generation.