Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system to produce electrical power that includes a hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel feed stock containing water vapor or steam being reformed in the fuel cell or in a separate reformer with the output gas from the fuel cell going to a water gas shift reactor to convert a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen. A portion of the carbon dioxide then being removed to yield a hydrogen rich gas that is piped back into the solid oxide fuel cell or the molten carbonate fuel cell in concert with the reformed or unreformed fuel feed stock. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system to produce electrical power that includes a hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel feed stock containing water vapor or steam being reformed in the fuel cell or in a separate reformer with the output gas from the fuel cell going to a water gas shift reactor to convert a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen. A portion of the carbon dioxide then being removed to yield a hydrogen rich gas that is piped back into the solid oxide fuel cell or the molten carbonate fuel cell in concert with the reformed or unreformed fuel feed stock. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: An inventive composition that has utility as an article for cleaning a target surface is provided. Embodiments of the inventive composition are readily applied to a substrate to form a cleaning article or form a free-standing article; the composition upon drying forms a matrix having a coefficient of friction of greater than one, and a glass transition temperature that is between 0° C. and 40° C. The matrix is amenable to loading with various additives illustratively including re-enforcing fibers, abrasives, plasticizers, foaming agents, fragrances, and combinations thereof. Embodiments of the inventive composition operate to clean a substrate such as a vehicle and ideally return the same to the original look and feel without requiring excessive work, or requiring the removal of too much material from the surface.

Abstract: We propose here a class of new materials for high heat-flux applications including high flux heat exchangers, rocket engines, jet engines, gas turbines, space-plane wings, and fusion reactors. The materials are nano-composites formed from copper and a refractory metal, especially niobium, vanadium, or chromium, but also potentially silver, iron, tantalum, tungsten, or molybdenum. The copper plus refractory mix is fast-melted, e.g. by arc melting, and then fast-cooled and worked. When cast the component metals separate into a fractile metal-metal composite that should have excellent heat-transfer qualities. Working the material makes it a lot stronger by extending the fractile structures into micron, and submicron (nano-scale) filaments and sheets of metal-metal composite.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeation membrane is provided having a cP2 Pearson symbol (Pm3m space group) structure. Suitable alloys include an “A” element from Periodic Table groups 3b-5b and an “M” element from the Periodic Table groups 6b-1b present at a stoichiometry that achieves the inventive crystal structure. Zr and Nb are the preferred A elements followed in preference by Ti and V. First Periodic Table row elements from groups 6b-1b are the preferred B elements. The inventive alloys also find applications as hydrogen getters, Ni-metal hydride battery materials, and hydrogen storage materials.

Abstract: The membrane reactor of the present invention generates a desired gas such as hydrogen produced by steam reforming liquid fuels. The membrane reactor provides thermal integration between the heating source and the reaction catalyst by heat conduction through a solid medium. A gas purification system extracts energy from the waste gases to heat the membrane reactor. This, in concert with other control mechanisms provided results in a more efficient gas purification process.

Abstract: The membrane reactor of the present invention generates a desired gas such as hydrogen produced by steam reforming liquid fuels. The membrane reactor provides thermal integration between the heating source and the reaction catalyst by heat conduction through a solid medium. Pressure energy within the membrane reactor provides compression of the feed to lower the partial pressure of product within the reactor, thereby increasing the membrane reactor effect.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus includes controls for delivering a feedstock to a reactor and a water gas step membrane reactor operating at a lower temperature than the reactor so as to efficiently produce purified hydrogen and manage heat within the apparatus. Catalytic combustion of feedstock in the presence of a combustible gas based on a computer controller facilitates operation. Flat plate heat exchangers in various configurations are contemplated as a reactor, water gas step membrane reactor, and purifier. Catalytic burning of feedstock in the presence of a combustible gas enhances apparatus efficiency.

Abstract: A hydride battery electrode is coated with palladium or a palladium alloy to improve hydride storage properties and recycle characteristics. A hydrogen purification membrane including a metallic substrate likewise has improved properties upon coating with palladium and a surface species of an alkali metal, alkaline earth element or alkaline earth cation. Novel metal hydrogen purification membranes include vanadium alloyed with at least 1 to 20 atomic percent nickel and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent cobalt and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent palladium.

Abstract: The membrane reactor of the present invention generates a desired gas such as hydrogen produced by steam reforming liquid fuels. The membrane reactor provides thermal integration between the heating source and the reaction catalyst by heat conduction through a solid medium. A gas purification system extracts energy from the waste gases to heat the membrane reactor. This, in concert with other control mechanisms provided results in a more efficient gas purification process.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting a gas, in particular hydrogen, from a fluid stream utilizing a plate membrane flattened with a wave spring on the low pressure side of the membrane and a turbulence generator on the high pressure side. Alternately, the membrane is folded and wrapped against a central conduit within the membrane fold. Extraction membranes have a substrate layer of Ta—W, V—Co, V—Pd, V—Au, V—Cu, V—Al, Nb—Ag, Nb—Au, Nb—Pt, Nb—Pd, V—Ni—Co, V—Ni—Pd, V—Nb—Pt or V—Pd—Au alloy or combination thereof and a first layer affixed to the outer surface of the substrate towards a mixed gas flow which is composed of palladium, platinum, rhodium, or palladium alloys.

Abstract: A hydride battery electrode is coated with palladium or a palladium alloy to improve hydride storage properties and recycle characteristics. A hydrogen purification membrane including a metallic substrate likewise has improved properties upon coating with palladium and a surface species of an alkali metal, alkaline earth element or alkaline earth cation. Novel metal hydrogen purification membranes include vanadium alloyed with at least 1 to 20 atomic percent nickel and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent cobalt and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent palladium.

Abstract: A hydride battery electrode is coated with palladium or a palladium alloy to improve hydride storage properties and recycle characteristics. A hydrogen purification membrane including a metallic substrate likewise has improved properties upon coating with palladium and a surface species of an alkali metal, alkaline earth element or alkaline earth cation. Novel metal hydrogen purification membranes include vanadium alloyed with at least 1 to 20 atomic percent nickel and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent cobalt and/or 1 to 20 atomic percent palladium.

Abstract: The membrane reactor of the present invention generates a desired gas such as hydrogen produced by steam reforming liquid fuels. The membrane reactor provides thermal integration between the heating source and the reaction catalyst by heat conduction through a solid medium. Pressure energy within the membrane reactor provides compression of the feed to lower the partial pressure of product within the reactor, thereby increasing the membrane reactor effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting a gas, in particular hydrogen, from a fluid stream utilizing a plate membrane flattened with a wave spring on the low pressure side of the membrane and a turbulence generator on the high pressure side. Alternately, the membrane is folded and wrapped against a central conduit within the membrane fold. Extraction membranes have a substrate layer of Ta—W, V—Co, V—Pd, V—Au, V—Cu, V—Al, Nb—Ag, Nb—Au, Nb—Pt, Nb—Pd, V—Ni—Co, V—Ni—Pd, V—Nb—Pt or V—Pd—Au alloy or combination thereof and a first layer affixed to the outer surface of the substrate towards a mixed gas flow which is composed of palladium, platinum, rhodium, or palladium alloys.

Abstract: A high temperature membrane reactor or gas purification apparatus includes a housing containing a gas heating chamber and a gas extraction component, preferably one or more tubular membranes. The preferred application is for extracting hydrogen from a mixed gas flow or for generating hydrogen, e.g., by reforming methanol, ethanol, or gasoline. A surrounding annulus provides heat exchange and insulation by circulating the mixed gas flow about the housing and then injecting the mixed gas flow into the housing for extraction or reaction. The apparatus further includes an outlet for releasing raffinate preferably including a flow controlling restriction. Heating is provided by conducting the raffinate from the gas extraction component to the heating chamber wherein reaction with a catalyst generates heat. These features, alone or in combination, provide better energy management, better flow management, and better safety than current designs.

Abstract: An apparatus (5) and methods for extracting a gas, especially hydrogen, from a fluid stream includes a pressure vessel (12) having an inlet (22) and at least one outlet (26) for allowing fluid flow therethrough. A plurality of extraction membranes (14) are axially disposed in pressure vessel (12). Extraction membranes (14) are selected from cylindrical or approximately cylindrical tubular metal substrate membranes and ceramic or polymeric substrate membranes. Enhanced mass transfer during the extracting is achieved by reducing the diameter and separation barrier thickness of extraction membranes (14) by adding bumps (18), curves, or packing (19). Extraction membranes (14) have inner and/or outer layers of palladium, platinum, rhodium or palladium alloys having greater hydrogen separation surface properties than a core membrane.

Abstract: A high temperature membrane reactor or gas purification apparatus includes a housing containing a gas heating chamber and a gas extraction component, preferably one or more tubular membranes. The preferred application is for extracting hydrogen from a mixed gas flow or for generating hydrogen, e.g., by reforming methanol, ethanol, or gasoline. A surrounding annulus provides heat exchange and insulation by circulating the mixed gas flow about the housing and then injecting the mixed gas flow into the housing for extraction or reaction. The apparatus further includes an outlet for releasing raffinate preferably including a flow controlling restriction. Heating is provided by conducting the raffinate from the gas extraction component to the heating chamber wherein reaction with a catalyst generates heat. These features, alone or in combination, provide better energy management, better flow management, and better safety than current designs.

Abstract: A membrane (14) for extracting hydrogen from fluid streams containing hydrogen consists essentially of a first layer (16) of a refractory metal or alloy which is permeable to hydrogen and has first and second surfaces (18,20). A second layer (22) is electroless or electrolytically deposited over the first surface (18) and attached thereto. A third layer (24) is similarly deposited over the other refractory surface (20), the second and third layers (22,24) consisting essentially of palladium, palladium alloys or platinum. A modification of this, for use in some applications, is the above membrane coated on only one surface with palladium, palladium alloys or platinum.

Abstract: A method for plating palladium on Group IV-B and V-B metals, particularly niobium, vanadium, zirconium, titanium and tantalum as pure metals and as alloys is described. The method provides the metal to be plated with a roughened exposed surface to be plated which has been electrolytically hydrided and then the surface is plated using electroless or electrolytic plating. Hydride is removed from the plated surface, usually by heating. This also removes other surface impurities and aids the coat adhesion. The resulting palladium plated metal articles are usful for hydrogen extraction.