Hydrogen Recovery Via Nanoporous Carbon Membrane for Large Scale Refinery Application

78168S Hydrogen recovery from refinery off-gas offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to meet the projected growth in hydrogen demand in refineries. Although a unique membrane-based process was demonstrated to be technically feasible in the past, several product- and process-related barriers have prevented its field implementation. This project will develop a nonaporous carbon molecular sieve membrane, which combines two commercially available products, that can overcome the product-related barriers. An in-line regeneration technique will be employed to solve the process-related barriers. In addition, hydrogen recovery efficiency will be improved through a membrane structure tailored for these applications. During Phase I, a comprehensive characterization of membrane candidates will be performed. The optimum membrane(s) selected will then be evaluated for its long term operation stability via the proposed regeneration technique. Finally, potential energy savings will be determined based upon the hydrogen recovery efficiency obtained and the estimated cost of the membrane/module product. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Significant energy savings should be achieved once the proposed process is implemented in the field. In addition to refinery applications, many chemicals production waste streams containing residual chemicals after bulk separations can be recovered via the proposed processes.