Elemental Metal Or Alloy Barrier Patents (Class 95/56)
  • Patent number: 11772049
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas separation section for separating a first gas from one or more other gasses in a separation device, the gas separation section comprising: a first membrane that is substantially planar; a second membrane that is substantially planar; a first substrate that has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the first substrate is on an opposite side of the first substrate than the first surface of the first substrate; a second substrate that has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second substrate is on an opposite side of the second substrate than the first surface of the second substrate; and a mesh that is arranged between the second surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate; wherein: the first substrate and the second substrate are sintered plates; the first membrane is on the first surface of the first substrate; the second membrane is on the first surface of the second substrate; the fir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HYDROGEN MEM-TECH AS [NO/NO]
    Inventors: Knut Harald Granlund, Frode Roness, Nils Andreas Eggen, Thomas Reinertsen
  • Patent number: 11607657
    Abstract: An apparatus for the production of hydrogen from a fuel source includes a combustor configured to receive a combustor fuel and convert the combustor fuel into a combustor heat; a reformer disposed annularly about the combustor, a removable structured catalyst support disposed within the gap and coated with a catalyst to induce combustor fuel combustion reactions that convert the combustor fuel to the combustor heat, and a combustor fuel injection aperture configured for mixing combustion fuel into the combustion catalyst. The combustor fuel injection aperture being disposed along a length of the combustion zone. The reformer and the combustor define a gap therebetween and the reformer is configured to receive the combustor heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: HELBIO S.A.
    Inventors: Xenophon Verykios, Thomas Halkides, Andreas Stavrakas, Aris Basagiannis
  • Patent number: 11590449
    Abstract: Hydrogen purification devices and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include at least one foil-microscreen assembly disposed between and secured to first and second end frames. The at least one foil-microscreen assembly may include at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and at least one microscreen structure including a non-porous planar sheet having a plurality of apertures forming a plurality of fluid passages. The planar sheet may include generally opposed planar surfaces configured to provide support to the permeate side. The plurality of fluid passages may extend between the opposed surfaces. The at least one hydrogen-selective membrane may be metallurgically bonded to the at least one microscreen structure. In some embodiments, the devices may include a permeate frame having at least one membrane support structure that spans at least a substantial portion of an open region and that is configured to support at least one foil-microscreen assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Element 1 Corp
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Koji Hoshi, Robert Todd Studebaker, Robert Jacob Studebaker
  • Patent number: 11434731
    Abstract: An in-situ methane explosion shaped charge perforating device with a molecular sieve is provided and includes a body, an end of the body is fixedly connected to the molecular sieve, two sides of the molecular sieve are fixedly connected to two baffles respectively, each baffle is embedded with several first check valves inside, an end of the body far away from the molecular sieve is fixedly connected to a fixing plate, a center of the fixing plate is embedded with an ignition device, a bottom of the fixing plate is embedded with a concentration sensor, a portion of the fixing plate between the ignition device and the concentration sensor is formed with an air extracting hole, inner walls of a top and a bottom of the body are symmetrically embedded with second check valves, and the ignition device and the concentration sensor are electrically connected to an external controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ning Luo, Cheng Zhai, Hanliang Liang, Yunchen Suo, Xiaolong Cao, Yishuo Yuan, Yabo Chai
  • Patent number: 11103828
    Abstract: Hydrogen purification devices and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include at least one foil-microscreen assembly disposed between and secured to first and second end frames. The at least one foil-microscreen assembly may include at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and at least one microscreen structure including a non-porous planar sheet having a plurality of apertures forming a plurality of fluid passages. The planar sheet may include generally opposed planar surfaces configured to provide support to the permeate side. The plurality of fluid passages may extend between the opposed surfaces. The at least one hydrogen-selective membrane may be metallurgically bonded to the at least one microscreen structure. In some embodiments, the devices may include a permeate frame having at least one membrane support structure that spans at least a substantial portion of an open region and that is configured to support at least one foil-microscreen assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Element 1 Corp.
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Koji Hoshi, Robert Todd Studebaker, Robert Jacob Studebaker
  • Patent number: 10632437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shell-and-tube type reactor for reforming natural gas and a method for manufacturing syngas or hydrogen gas by using the same. According to the present invention, a shell-and-tube type reactor for reforming natural gas comprises a reaction catalyst for reforming natural gas, which is filled in a reactor shell; at least one tube for separating hydrogen; and a tube for an exothermic reaction or a tube type heat-exchanger for heating, which is disposed at the center of the reactor so as to have excellent operating efficiency and enable production of high-purity hydrogen and collection of carbon dioxide simultaneously along with a reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Shin Kun Ryi, Jae Yun Han, Yong Seog Seo, Jung Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10112144
    Abstract: A module for separating nitrogen from air via hollow-fiber membranes, includes a deflector (8) that communicates with the inlet hole (3) for the pressurized air and is arranged for deflecting the flow of compressed air into the module along paths of flow (9) having a direction that is not directly incident on the first end of the bundle of fibers (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: EUROSIDER S.A.S.DE MILLI OTTAVIO & C.
    Inventor: Ottavio Milli
  • Patent number: 10038199
    Abstract: A noble metal-based electrocatalyst comprises a bimetallic particle comprising a noble metal and a non-noble metal and having a polyhedral shape. The bimetallic particle comprises a surface-segregated composition where an atomic ratio of the noble metal to the non-noble metal is higher in a surface region and in a core region than in a sub-surface region between the surface and core regions. A method of treating a noble metal-based electrocatalyst comprises annealing a bimetallic particle comprising a noble metal and a non-noble metal and having a polyhedral shape at a temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 1100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Hong Yang, Jianbo Wu
  • Patent number: 9802820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant for performing a method for hydrogen production or for performing a method of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide production from syngas. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, (ii) separating at least part of hydrogen from the stream yielding a hydrogen-depleted stream, (iii) subjecting the hydrogen-depleted stream to a water-gas shift reaction, and (iv) separating hydrogen from the stream resulting from step (iii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V.
    Inventors: Gaetano Iaquaniello, Barbara Cucchiella, Elena Antonetti
  • Patent number: 9776863
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for hydrogen production and to a method of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide production from syngas. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, (ii) separating at least part of hydrogen from the stream yielding a hydrogen-depleted stream, (iii) subjecting the hydrogen-depleted stream to a water-gas shift reaction, and (iv) separating hydrogen from the stream resulting from step (iii). The method according to the invention improves the conversion of carbon monoxide in the water gas shift reaction and allows to increase the hydrogen production by 10-15% and to increase the overall energy efficiency of the system by 5-7%. The invention further relates to a plant for hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide production suitable for the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V.
    Inventors: Gaetano Iaquaniello, Barbara Cucchiella, Elena Antonetti
  • Patent number: 9656204
    Abstract: A method for obtaining highly pure hydrogen from a raw gas begins with heating and/or treating a semipermeable material made of metal or a metal alloy, preferably, conducting an electric current through the semipermeable material at the beginning of the method in order to increase the quantity of hydrogen passing through the material. A device for obtaining highly pure hydrogen from the raw gas includes a semipermeable material which forms a boundary between the interior of a pressure vessel and the outer region of the pressure vessel and which is permeable to hydrogen. The device is designed such that is can be heatable or treatable at least in sections, in particular, by means of electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Mahnken & Partner GmbH
    Inventors: Anna Huber, Hinrich Lorenzen, Claus-Lueder Mahnken, Siegfried Reck, Sebastian Rosskamp, Dieter Thiesen
  • Patent number: 9266071
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen separation alloy which is adoptable to a product having a large surface area of a side where hydrogen permeates and which has such a metallographic structure as to improve hydrogen permeability and to improve hydrogen-embrittlement resistance. The hydrogen separation alloy used herein is represented by the compositional formula: Nb100?(?+?)M1?M2? where M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Hf; M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Cr, Fe, Cu and Zn; 10???60, 10???50, and ?+??80. The alloy contains inevitable impurities. And the alloy includes two phases, i.e., an Nb-M1 phase serving as a hydrogen-permeable phase, and a M2-M1 phase serving as a hydrogen-embrittlement-resistant phase. The hydrogen-permeable phase and the hydrogen-embrittlement-resistant phase have an elongated structure resulting from rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamamura, Masahiro Tobise
  • Patent number: 9260304
    Abstract: It is an objective of the invention to provide a method for operating hydrogen separation devices which is capable of efficiently suppressing hydrogen embrittlement in a hydrogen separation alloy membrane and to provide a hydrogen separation device that performs favorably during repeated starting/stopping operations thereof. There is provided a method for operating a hydrogen separation device for separating hydrogen from a mixture hydrogen gas using a membrane separation technique with a hydrogen separation alloy membrane. The method comprises the successive steps of: stopping supply of the mixture hydrogen gas to the hydrogen separation alloy membrane with a temperature of the membrane within a range from 300 to 600° C.; supplying an oxidizing gas over a predetermined duration to at least an upstream side of the membrane with a temperature of the membrane within a range from 300 to 600° C.; and lowering the temperature of the membrane to below 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Yamamura
  • Patent number: 9073007
    Abstract: A separation membrane including an alloy wherein the alloy includes at least one Group 5 element and at least one Group 14 element, wherein the at least one Group 5 element and the at least one Group 14 element of the alloy define a body centered cubic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyeon Cheol Park, Kwang Hee Kim, Byung Ki Ryu, Jae Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9073013
    Abstract: A separation membrane including: an alloy including a Group 5 element, Fe, and Al, wherein the alloy includes a body-centered cubic lattice structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Hee Kim, Hyeon Cheol Park, Jae-Ho Lee, Eun Seog Cho
  • Patent number: 9011580
    Abstract: Techniques are generally described herein for the design and manufacture of hydrogen generation apparatuses and systems. Other embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed. Some methods described herein pressing together a first end plate, one or more intermediate plates, and a second end plate using a press to form a hydrogen purifier module, and placing a plurality of clips around the hydrogen purifier module to hold the first end plate, the one or more intermediate plates, and the second end plate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Azur Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Edlund
  • Patent number: 8992669
    Abstract: The hydrogen separation membrane module according to the present invention is used for separating hydrogen from a gas to be treated containing hydrogen, and is provided with a tubular hydrogen separation membrane being selectively permeable to hydrogen, a casing for the hydrogen separation membrane, an insertion member being arranged on the inside of the hydrogen separation membrane and having an outer surface that defines a flow path of the gas to be treated together with an inner surface of the hydrogen separation membrane, a gas supply port for supplying the gas to be treated to the inside of the hydrogen separation membrane, a gas discharge port for discharging a non-permeating gas that does not permeate the hydrogen separation membrane, from a downstream side of the flow path, and a hydrogen discharge port provided in the casing, for discharging hydrogen having permeated the hydrogen separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation, Japan Petroleum Energy Center
    Inventors: Masakazu Ikeda, Shunsuke Maekawa, Kaori Takano
  • Patent number: 8979984
    Abstract: An apparatus for recovery of tritium from contaminated gaseous mixtures by way of isotope-exchange processes includes a container having a preferably cylindrical shape made of steel or other suitable metal or glass, referred to as “module” (1), which contains at least one permeator tube (T) made of metal or metal alloy selectively permeable to hydrogen and its isotopes, wherein the tube (T) is set in cantilever fashion with its free end closed, there being further provided elements for applying an axial tensile force on the free end of the permeator tube (T) and elements for electrical connection of the free end of the tube (T) to an end flange (FF) of the module (1) adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Enea-Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Technologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Silvano Tosti, Nicolas Ghirelli, Fabio Borgognoni, Pierre Trabuc, Alessia Santucci, Karine Liger, Fabrizio Marini
  • Patent number: 8968447
    Abstract: A separation membrane including an alloy including a Group 5 element and Ir, wherein the alloy includes a body centered cubic crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon Cheol Park, Kwang Hee Kim, Byung Ki Ryu, Jae Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20150027307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a hydrogen separation membrane capable of preventing the plating of Pd inside a porous support and a porous shielding layer when a separation membrane is prepared; a hydrogen separation membrane prepared therefrom; and a use thereof. In addition, the present invention relates to a device for preparing a hydrogen separation membrane; and a method for preparing a hydrogen separation membrane using the device, and in particular, relates to a device for preparing a hydrogen separation membrane capable of stably growing a Pd-containing separation membrane for hydrogen gas separation as a plating solution grows from the upper surface of a porous support to a uniform thickness by simply shielding the lower surface of the porous support when a hydrogen separation membrane is prepared using an electroless plating method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Shin Kun Ryi, Beom Seok Seo, Jong Soo Park, Dong Wook Lee, Sung Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 8911570
    Abstract: A method of making a gas separation membrane system by providing a porous support material having deposited thereon a metal membrane layer and imposing upon the surface thereof certain surface characteristics that provide for surface activation that enhances the placement thereon of a subsequent metal membrane layer. The gas separation membrane system is useful in the separation of hydrogen from hydrogen-containing gas streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: John Charles Saukaitis, Ashley Renee Villarreal
  • Patent number: 8900345
    Abstract: A separation membrane including an alloy, the alloy including at least one Group 5 element, and at least one selected from Pt and Ir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Hee Kim, Hyeon Cheol Park, Byung Ki Ryu, Jae Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8900344
    Abstract: Hydrogen selective coatings, coated articles and methods for their formation and for hydrogen separation or purification. The coatings are formed by atomic layer deposition of suitable metal oxides with desirable hydrogen activation energy or hydrogen flux, e.g., silicon dioxide, and can be borne on a nonporous, thin-film metal or cermet substrate, e.g., a palladium sheet or layer. The coated substrate may include a porous support for the sheet or layer. The coated article may be used as a purification membrane and the coating can protect the metal layer from contaminants in the gas or process stream from which hydrogen is being purified. In some embodiments, the coated article can provide such protection at elevated temperatures in excess of 300° C.; and in other embodiments, can provide protection at temperatures in excess of 600° C. and even in excess of 800° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: T3 Scientific LLC
    Inventors: Chung Yi A. Tsai, Siu-Yue Tam
  • Patent number: 8876949
    Abstract: A method of preparing a palladium-silver alloy gas separation membrane system, wherein the surface of the palladium layer or a silver layer is activated by a non-chemical activation method involving abrasion to a controlled surface roughness and abrasion pattern, thereby permitting the plating or deposition of an overlayer of silver on the palladium layer, silver on a silver layer, or palladium on a silver layer. The palladium and silver layers are preferably supported on a porous metal support to which an intermetallic diffusion barrier has been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: John Charles Saukaitis
  • Patent number: 8876948
    Abstract: A method of making a composite gas separation module by providing a porous support material having deposited thereon a metal membrane layer, by imposing upon the surface of the metal membrane layer certain surface characteristics including an abrasion pattern and a relatively high surface roughness that provides for surface activation that enhances the placement thereon of a subsequent metal membrane layer without the use of a chemical activating solution. The composite gas separation module is useful in the separation of hydrogen from hydrogen-containing gas streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: John Charles Saukaitis
  • Publication number: 20140251131
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to palladium-alloyed membranes, and more specifically to palladium-alloyed membranes for high temperature applications and to methods for making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Sabina Kathleen Gade, Amanda Elizabeth Lewis, Hani Walid Abu El Hawa
  • Patent number: 8814983
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for delivery of a target material and/or energy. The system includes a source configured to provide a mixture containing the target material and a non-target material, a delivery conduit coupled to the source to receive the mixture from the source, and an in-line extraction device concentric to the delivery conduit. The in-line extraction device is configured to selectively extract the target material and/or energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit and to delivery it to a downstream facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8778058
    Abstract: The invention relates to thin, hydrogen-permeable, sulfur-resistant membranes formed from multi-layers of palladium or palladium-alloy coatings on porous, ceramic or metal supports, methods of making these membranes, methods of repairing layers of these membranes and devices that incorporate these membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: J. Douglas Way, Oyvind Hatlevik
  • Publication number: 20140170061
    Abstract: “A hydrogen purification process is provided. This process includes separating hydrogen from a hydrogen containing stream in at least two sequential palladium membrane purification zones, wherein each purification zone has a permeate side, wherein the permeate side pressure of purification zones are not the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Precedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Precedes Georges Claude
  • Patent number: 8753433
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm pipe for permeative separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures containing hydrogen, a method for the production thereof as well as a reactor comprising a diaphragm pipe, wherein the diaphragm pipe comprises a porous pipe (S) made of a sintered metal and a diaphragm (M) containing palladium or made of palladium enclosing the outer surface of the sintered metal pipe (S). The sintered metal pipe (S) has at least on one end a fitting (F) made of gasproof material, which is firmly connected with the sintered metal pipe (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Plansee SE
    Inventors: Wolfgang Haring, Nicole Schodel, Axel Behrens, Klaus Klapper, Matthias Ruttinger, Karlheinz Scheiber, Markus Kogl, Marco Brandner
  • Patent number: 8747766
    Abstract: A hydrogen separation membrane comprising a palladium alloy that includes at least palladium, an added metal A, and an added metal B, the added metal A and the added metal B being two different metals other than palladium, each of the added metal A and the added metal B forming a complete solid solution with palladium, and the added metal A and the added metal B having a triple point in an equilibrium diagram and not forming an intermetallic compound. The hydrogen separation membrane exhibits excellent hydrogen permeability and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Noda
  • Patent number: 8728181
    Abstract: The inventive stage system for producing hydrogen consists of at least two upstream/downstream stages, respectively, each of which comprises, optionally, a catalytic reactor (C1 to C5) followed by a separator comprising a space (E1 to E4) for circulation of a gaseous mixture contacting at least one oxygen extracting membrane and a hydrogen collecting space, wherein the reactor (C1) of the upstream stage is connected to a reaction gaseous mixture source, the circulation stage (E1) of the upstream stage separator is connected to the reactor (C2) of the downstream stage and the spaces for extracting/collecting oxygen from two separators are connected to a hydrogen collecting circuit (TC, 8) which is common for two stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne des Technologies de l'Hydrogene (C.E.T.H.)
    Inventors: Eric Gernot, Arnaud Deschamps
  • Patent number: 8728199
    Abstract: Provided is a novel hydrogen separation membrane formed of a Nb—W—Mo-based alloy. A method for separating hydrogen using the hydrogen separation membrane and hydrogen separation conditions are selected by a particular procedure. A hydrogen separation membrane formed of the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Nagoya University, Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan
    Inventors: Hideto Kurokawa, Takumi Nishii, Yoshinori Shirasaki, Isamu Yasuda, Masahiko Morinaga, Hiroshi Yukawa, Tomonori Nanbu, Yoshihisa Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8721773
    Abstract: A method for preparing a palladium-gold alloy gas separation membrane system comprising a gold-palladium alloy membrane on a porous substrate coated with an intermetallic diffusion barrier. The method includes an abrading step to increase surface roughness of the palladium to a desired range, a gold plating step with a solution of chloroauric acid (AuCl4H) and hydrogen peroxide, followed by annealing to produce a palladium-gold alloy membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Nathan Earl Perkins, II, John Charles Saukaitis
  • Patent number: 8709132
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system for disassociating water includes a decomposition chamber, a heating element, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and a water inlet. The heating element is positioned in the decomposition chamber and configured to generate heat sufficient to dissociate at least a portion of water to hydrogen and oxygen. The plurality of hollow fiber membranes include at least a section of each hollow fiber membrane that passes through the decomposition chamber and has an inner conduit and an outer wall. The inner conduit for each hollow fiber membrane is configured to pass a sweep gas, and the outer wall for each hollow fiber membrane is configured to selectively pass either oxygen or hydrogen. The water inlet connected to the decomposition chamber and configured to pass water vapor into the decomposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Stellar Generation, LLC
    Inventor: Jerome Lee Elkind
  • Patent number: 8657920
    Abstract: An apparatus and method purify hydrogen from a mixed fluid containing gaseous hydrogen, gaseous oxygen, and liquid water. The apparatus has a mixed fluid channel through which the mixed fluid flows; a first gas channel through which a mixed gas containing gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen flows; a second gas channel through which gaseous hydrogen or oxygen flows; a gas-liquid separating membrane forming a wall between the mixed fluid channel and the first gas channel, separating the mixed gas from the mixed fluid of the mixed fluid channel, and providing the separated mixed gas to the first gas channel; and a hydrogen or oxygen separating membrane forming a wall between the first gas channel and the second gas channel, separating gaseous hydrogen or oxygen from the mixed gas of the first gas channel, and providing the separated gaseous hydrogen or oxygen to the second gas channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Norihiko Nakamura, Hidekazu Arikawa, Hirofumi Fujiwara, Hidehito Kubo, Keiji Toh, Akiko Kumano, Shohei Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8652239
    Abstract: A method of making a membrane permeable to hydrogen gas (H2?) is disclosed. The membrane is made by forming a palladium layer, depositing a layer of copper on the palladium layer, and galvanically displacing a portion of the copper with palladium. The membrane has improved resistance to poisoning by H2S compared to a palladium membrane. The membrane also has increased permeance of hydrogen gas compared to palladium-copper alloys. The membrane can be annealed at a lower temperature for a shorter amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Yi Hua Ma, Natalie Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 8636828
    Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: DCNS SA
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger, R. Todd Studebaker
  • Patent number: 8623121
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen separation membrane based on nanoporous, composite metal carbide or metal sulfide coated membranes capable of high flux and permselectivity for hydrogen without platinum group metals. The present invention is capable of being operated over a broad temperature range, including at elevated temperatures, while maintaining hydrogen selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: J. Douglas Way, Colin A. Wolden
  • Patent number: 8608836
    Abstract: A gas purifier assembly for providing first (50) and second (38) purified gas streams having an integral heater (54). The assembly can have two separate chambers for gaseous fluid flow for the purpose of purifying a gas stream of hydrogen (34), for example, and a separate distinct stream of gas such as compressed air (46). A centrally located heater heats the first chamber to effect purification of the first gas. Waste heat from the first chamber is transferred to the second chamber via conduction to effect purification of the second gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Karen Girard, John J. Ronan, George Zugravu
  • Patent number: 8608829
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an H2 separation membrane comprised of an alloy having the composition Cu(100-x-y)PdxMy, where x is from about 35 to about 50 atomic percent and where y is from greater than 0 to about 20 atomic percent, and where M consists of magnesium, yttrium, aluminum, titanium, lanthanum, or combinations thereof. The M elements act as strong stabilizers for the B2 phase of the alloy, and extend the critical temperature of the alloy for a given hydrogen concentration and pressure. Due to the phase stabilization and the greater temperature range over which a B2 phase can be maintained, the alloy is well suited for service as a H2 separation membrane, particularly when applicable conditions are established or cycled above about 600° C. over the course of expected operations. In certain embodiments, the B2 phase comprises at least 60 estimated volume percent of the alloy at a steady-state temperature of 400° C. The B2 phase stability is experimentally validated through HT-XRD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Ömer N. Do{hacek over (g)}an, Michael C. Gao, Rongxiang Hu Young, De Nyago Tafen
  • Patent number: 8603219
    Abstract: A gas separation unit 102, 200, 300 for permeating a gas out from a pressurized feed mixture includes an input manifold 104, 204, an exhaust manifold, 106, 206 and a permeate assembly 108, 208, 303. The permeate assembly supports one or more permselective foils 130, 132, 218, 232, 318 over a hollow cavity 134, 272, 306 supported by a microscreen element 142, 144, 228, 230, 326. The microscreen element includes non-porous perimeter walls 190, 192, 278 supported on a frame surface and a porous central area 194, 280 supported over the hollow cavity. A porous spacer 138, 140, 174, 234 disposed inside the hollow cavity structurally supports the entire microscreen surface spanning the hollow cavity while also providing a void volume for receiving fluid passing through the porous central area and for conveying the fluid through the hollow cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Protonex Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Edlund, Paul Osenar, Nathan Palumbo, Ronald Rezac, Matthew P. Steinbroner
  • Patent number: 8591633
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system treats a mixed gas containing at least hydrogen and monosilane discharged from a semiconductor fabrication equipment. The exhaust gas treatment system includes a pump unit which emits the mixed gas discharged from the semiconductor fabrication equipment, a compressor which compresses the mixed gas emitted by the pump unit and sends the mixed gas to a rear stage, a gas accommodation unit which collects and accommodates the compressed mixed gas, a flow rate control unit which controls a flow rate of the mixed gas supplied from the gas accommodation unit, and a membrane separation unit which causes the hydrogen to selectively permeate therethrough and separates the monosilane and the hydrogen from the mixed gas. Accordingly, the exhaust gas treatment system may be stably operated in a state where a change in pressure of the mixed gas discharged from the semiconductor fabrication equipment is alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Tai Ohuchi, Takashi Okabe, Tsuyoshi Asano
  • Publication number: 20130243660
    Abstract: A separation membrane including an alloy, the alloy including at least one Group 5 element, and at least one selected from Pt and Ir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Hee KIM, Hyeon Cheol PARK, Byung Ki RYU, Jae Ho LEE
  • Patent number: 8518151
    Abstract: A dense hydrogen-permeable layer, such as palladium or palladium alloy, is deposited on a porous hollow fiber. A porous hollow fiber is defined as having an inner diameter of approximately 30 microns to approximately 1500 microns and an outer diameter of approximately 100 microns to approximately 2000 microns. This allows an order-of-magnitude increase in the surface per volume ratio in a hydrogen separation or purification module, or a membrane reformer or reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude el l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Tessier, Edgar S. Sanders, Jr., Pascal J. Tromeur
  • Patent number: 8501668
    Abstract: The invention provides a porous nanoscale membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane can be used as a filtration device to screen agents that disrupt or prevent molecular interactions. In one embodiment, the membrane allows for screening agents that disrupt or prevent molecular interactions using a small sample volume with efficient high-throughput screening applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: James L. McGrath, Harold C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130152785
    Abstract: A method of preparing a palladium-silver alloy gas separation membrane system, wherein the surface of the palladium layer or a silver layer is activated by a non-chemical activation method involving abrasion to a controlled surface roughness and abrasion pattern, thereby permitting the plating or deposition of an overlayer of silver on the palladium layer, silver on a silver layer, or palladium on a silver layer. The palladium and silver layers are preferably supported on a porous metal support to which an intermetallic diffusion barrier has been applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Shell Oil Company
  • Publication number: 20130152786
    Abstract: A process of producing transition metal-based membranes or other layers on a porous support is provided. The layers are suitable for hydrogen separation, oxygen separation, or protective or decorative purpose sand are produced by pretreating the porous support by coating with a solution of a transition metal salt, drying the seeded support, reducing the transition metal salt to transition metal metal, and electroless plating with a complex of a transition metal (palladium, silver or other)and optionally other metals. The membranes can be tubular with a transition metal layer of 1-10 ?m on its outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Lucretia Agnes Correia, Johannis Pieter Overbeek, Yvonne Christine Van Delft
  • Patent number: 8465569
    Abstract: A gas separation unit 102, 200, 300 for permeating a gas out from a pressurized feed mixture includes an input manifold 104, 204, an exhaust manifold, 106, 206 and a permeate assembly 108, 208, 303. The permeate assembly supports one or more permselective foils 130, 132, 218, 232, 318 over a hollow cavity 134, 272, 306 supported by a microscreen element 142, 144, 228, 230, 326. The microscreen element includes non-porous perimeter walls 190, 192, 278 supported on a frame surface and a porous central area 194, 280 supported over the hollow cavity. A porous spacer 138, 140, 174, 234 disposed inside the hollow cavity structurally supports the entire microscreen surface spanning the hollow cavity while also providing a void volume for receiving fluid passing through the porous central area and for conveying the fluid through the hollow cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Protonex Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Edlund, Paul Osenar, Nathan Palumbo, Ronald Rezac, Matt Steinbroner
  • Patent number: 8440000
    Abstract: A nitrogen-permeable structure includes a porous support and a nitrogen-permeable membrane adjacent to the porous support. The nitrogen-permeable membrane includes a first metal and a second metal, wherein the first metal is selected from niobium, tantalum, and vanadium, and the second metal is different from the first metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Jennifer Wilcox