Synthesis gas produced in coal gasification processes contains hydrogen, along with carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water, nitrogen, and other gases, depending on the particular gasification process. Development of membrane technology to separate the hydrogen from the raw gas at the high operating temperatures and pressures near exit gas conditions would improve the efficiency of the process. Tubular porous alumina membranes with mean pore radii ranging from about 9-22 Å have been fabricated and characterized. Based on the results of hydrostatic tests, the burst strength of the membranes ranged from 800-1600 psig, with a mean value of about 1300 psig. These membranes were evaluated for separating hydrogen and other gases. Tests of membrane permeabilities were made with helium, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Measurements were made at room temperature in the pressure range of 15-589 psi. In general, the relative gas permeabilities correlated qualitatively with a Knudsen flow mechanism; however, other gas transport mechanisms such as surface adsorption also may be involved. Efforts are under way to fabricate membranes having still smaller pores. At smaller pore sizes, higher separation factors are expected from molecular sieving effects.
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April 1992
Research Papers
Separating Hydrogen From Coal Gasification Gases With Alumina Membranes
B. Z. Egan,
B. Z. Egan
Chemical Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
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D. E. Fain,
D. E. Fain
Technical Division, Oak Ridge K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
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G. E. Roettger,
G. E. Roettger
Technical Division, Oak Ridge K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
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D. E. White
D. E. White
Technical Division, Oak Ridge K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
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B. Z. Egan
Chemical Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
D. E. Fain
Technical Division, Oak Ridge K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
G. E. Roettger
Technical Division, Oak Ridge K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
D. E. White
Technical Division, Oak Ridge K-25 Site, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Apr 1992, 114(2): 367-370 (4 pages)
Published Online: April 1, 1992
Article history
Received:
February 20, 1991
Online:
April 24, 2008
Citation
Egan, B. Z., Fain, D. E., Roettger, G. E., and White, D. E. (April 1, 1992). "Separating Hydrogen From Coal Gasification Gases With Alumina Membranes." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. April 1992; 114(2): 367–370. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2906600
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