Contemporary membrane processes for separation of hydrogen from different industrial streams are based on use of polymeric membrane materials. The subject of this chapter is consideration of properties of various membrane materials in respect of hydrogen and other light gases. The effects of properties of gases, polymers, and conditions of separation on the gas permeation parameters are considered. Possible options for improvement of these parameters include crosslinking and introduction of nanoparticles into polymer matrices. The problem of separation of hydrogen isotopes is briefly discussed. The main message of this review is that many existing and widely applied hydrogen-separating membranes can be replaced by novel ones based on polymers with enhanced permeability and/ or selectivity.

Chapter Contents:

• Abstract
• 11.1 Introduction
• 11.2 Short background
• 11.3 Gas permeation properties of polymers in respect of hydrogen
• 11.3.1 Effects of conditions of the transport process
• 11.3.2 Effects of properties of gases
• 11.3.3 Effects of properties of polymers
• 11.4 Routes for improvement of permeation parameters of hydrogen in polymers
• 11.4.1 Cross-linking
• 11.4.2 High free volume polymers
• 11.4.3 Mixed matrix membranes
• 11.5 Separation of isotopes of hydrogen
• 11.6 Concluding remarks
• Acknowledgment
• List of symbols
• List of acronyms/abbreviations
• References

Inspec keywords: permeability; polymers; membranes; hydrogen production; separation; nanoparticles

Other keywords: nanoparticles; gas permeation parameters; polymer properties; gases properties; light gases; polymer matrices; membrane processes; hydrogen isotopes; hydrogen separation; polymeric membrane materials; permeability

Subjects: Engineering materials; Industrial processes; Fuel processing industry; Hydrogen fuel; Hydrogen storage and technology; Chemical industry