Recycling of Polystyrene Packaging from the Food Service Industry

65531 Hydrogen is highly valued for its use in the production of clean petroleum-derived fuels and as a clean-burning fuel itself. However, technologies for the separation and production of hydrogen are currently inefficient and costly. This project will develop a low-cost, ceramic-supported, palladium-based, hydrogen separation membrane with high-temperature operability, superior hydrogen selectivity and permeance, mechanical stability, and high membrane area packing density. Phase I will fabricate tubular membrane modules with ~50 cm2 membrane area, and then investigate their gas permeation properties to demonstrate high hydrogen selectivity and permeance. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The technology should reduce the cost of producing hydrogen and increase the flexibility of chemical processes in petroleum refining and energy production. Increasing the supply of hydrogen would widen its use as an energy source in fuel cells, leading to the possibility of zero-emission vehicles among other applications.