Abstract: A gas recycling system for a controlled atmosphere furnace includes a controlled atmosphere furnace having a product entry, a product exit, a process gas inlet adjacent said product exit, and a spent gas outlet adjacent said product entry. A spent gas recycler is operationally connected to the spent gas outlet. The recycler produces a recycled process gas stream and a waste gas stream. The recycled process gas stream is returned to the controlled atmosphere furnace. The waste gas stream is returned to the controlled atmosphere furnace at a point downstream from the spent gas outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for controlled atmosphere furnace systems. In one possible embodiment, hydrogen is injected from a hydrogen source to an enclosure. The hydrogen is circulated within the enclosure from a gas inlet to a gas outlet. A temperature is raised within the enclosure to a predetermined threshold. Hydrogen is pumped from the gas outlet to the gas inlet with an electrochemical hydrogen pump. The electrochemical hydrogen pump has a first electrode in fluid communication with the gas outlet, and a second electrode in fluid communication with the gas inlet. An electrical potential is provided between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a higher electrical potential with respect to zero than the second electrode. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for controlled atmosphere furnace systems. In one possible embodiment, hydrogen is injected from a hydrogen source to an enclosure. The hydrogen is circulated within the enclosure from a gas inlet to a gas outlet. A temperature is raised within the enclosure to a predetermined threshold. Hydrogen is pumped from the gas outlet to the gas inlet with an electrochemical hydrogen pump. The electrochemical hydrogen pump has a first electrode in fluid communication with the gas outlet, and a second electrode in fluid communication with the gas inlet. An electrical potential is provided between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a higher electrical potential with respect to zero than the second electrode. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for controlled atmosphere furnace systems. In one possible embodiment, hydrogen is injected from a hydrogen source to an enclosure. The hydrogen is circulated within the enclosure from a gas inlet to a gas outlet. A temperature is raised within the enclosure to a predetermined threshold. Hydrogen is pumped from the gas outlet to the gas inlet with an electrochemical hydrogen pump. The electrochemical hydrogen pump has a first electrode in fluid communication with the gas outlet, and a second electrode in fluid communication with the gas inlet. An electrical potential is provided between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a higher electrical potential with respect to zero than the second electrode. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: A hydrogen reclamation system comprises a first hydrogen separator having an inlet and an outlet and a second hydrogen separator having an inlet and an outlet wherein an inlet gas stream having a first concentration of hydrogen gas enters said first hydrogen separator inlet and is processed into an outlet gas stream having a second concentration of hydrogen gas which exits said first hydrogen separator outlet and subsequent to exiting said first hydrogen separator outlet, said outlet gas stream enters said second hydrogen separator inlet and is processed into a second outlet gas stream having a third concentration of hydrogen gas which exits said second hydrogen separator outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for controlled atmosphere furnace systems. In one possible embodiment, hydrogen is injected from a hydrogen source to an enclosure. The hydrogen is circulated within the enclosure from a gas inlet to a gas outlet. A temperature is raised within the enclosure to a predetermined threshold. Hydrogen is pumped from the gas outlet to the gas inlet with an electrochemical hydrogen pump. The electrochemical hydrogen pump has a first electrode in fluid communication with the gas outlet, and a second electrode in fluid communication with the gas inlet. An electrical potential is provided between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a higher electrical potential with respect to zero than the second electrode. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for integrated electrochemical hydrogen separation and compression systems. In one possible embodiment, an electrical potential is provided across an electrochemical cell. A portion of the potential is shunted to an electrical load when the potential is higher than a predetermined threshold. As an example, a Zener diode can be used as a suitable shunting mechanism. The invention can be used with individual cells or stacks of cells. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for integrated electrochemical hydrogen separation and compression systems. In one possible embodiment, an electrical connection is initiated between an anode and a cathode of an electrochemical cell. Hydrogen is ionized at the anode to flow protons through a proton exchange membrane to the cathode. The protons are reacted with oxygen at the cathode to form water. The electrical connection between the anode and the cathode is removed, and a power supply is connected to the anode and cathode so that the anode has a higher electrical potential with respect to zero than the cathode. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression systems. In one possible embodiment, an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell is energized to generate a hydrogen output from a hydrogen source that can be pure hydrogen or a mixed gas containing hydrogen. The hydrogen output is fed to a compressor, and the compressor is energized to provide a compressed hydrogen output to a hydrogen load. In some embodiments, the compressor is configured to feed hydrogen to the cell, which in turn feeds the load. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating methods are provided for integrated electrochemical hydrogen separation systems. In one possible embodiment, an electrical potential is applied between a first electrode and a second electrode of an electrochemical cell. The first electrode has a higher electrical potential with respect to zero than the second electrode. Electrical current is flowed through the cell as hydrogen is ionized at the first electrode and evolved at the second electrode. i.e., “pumped” across the cell. The hydrogen outlet flow and pressure from the cell can be controlled by adjusting the potential and current provided by the power supply. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for system operation and performance management of electrochemical cells. Electrochemical cells using polybenzimidazole (PBI) proton exchange membranes may be used. In certain embodiments, performance enhancements are achieved through water management via anode and/or cathode humidification, and reactant air injection.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for electrochemical hydrogen manipulation. In one example, an electrochemical cell is provided utilizing an acid doped polybenzimidazole membrane having a proton conductivity of at least 0.1 S/cm and comprising phosphoric acid in a ratio of at least 20 moles phosphoric acid to polybenzimidazole repeating unit. The polybenzimidazole membrane can be produced by a sol-gel process. Additional concepts are also described.