Hydrogen Recovery and Carbon Dioxide Separation In Steam Methane Reformers

75004-Natural gas, which has a favorable hydrogen-to-carbon ratio, is the most affordable near term resource for producing large amounts of hydrogen as the Nation moves toward a hydrogen economy. This project will develop a membrane process to recover hydrogen and separate carbon dioxide from steam-methane-reformer pressure swing absorption (PSA) plants. The process should increase hydrogen production by 5 to 15 percent while simultaneously producing a concentrated carbon dioxide stream for sequestration. In Phase I, composite membranes will be prepared and evaluated in membrane modules to determine their selectivity and permeability. A computer simulation of the integrated hydrogen recovery/carbon sequestration process will be prepared based on the permeation data. The best membranes will be selected for further development in Phase II. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new carbon dioxide/hydrogen membranes should have properties superior to the best currently-known polymer membranes and should increase hydrogen production by natural gas steam methane reformers.