Enhancement of hydrogen production rates in reformation process of methane using permeable Ni tube and chemical heat pump

Enhancement of the overall conversion efficiency from CH4 to H2 using a permeable-membrane Ni tube and temperature rise by a chemical heat pump system packed with hydrogen-absorbing alloys have been investigated in order to produce H2 more efficiently using a high-temperature heat source. The two feasibilities to enhance the conversion efficiency are tested using their respective experimental apparatuses. Two things are experimentally proved that (1) Ni permeable-membrane tubes can provide measures to convert CH4 to H2 continuously without any deterioration in the course of partial oxidation or steam reformation and (2) two Zr(V1−xFex)2 alloys with different Fe displacement ratios can comprise a chemical heat-pump system working at higher-temperature conditions.