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)