Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemical Engineering

First Advisor

Ilias, Shamsuddin Dr.

Abstract

Thermal stability of the palladium membrane is a major challenge in hydrogen separation from mixture of gases at high temperature. To study the long term thermal stability of palladium membrane, thin, dense, and defect free Pd composite membranes on microporous stainless steel (MPSS) substrate were prepared by surfactant induced electroless plating (SIEP). Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), a cationic surfactant was used in the Pd EP-bath. Permeability tests were carried out with hydrogen and nitrogen at temperatures and pressures in the range of 523 - 823 K and 20 - 100 psi respectively. The membranes showed good hydrogen flux and selectivity. Pd MPSS composite membrane was subject to test for long term performance and thermal cycling (573 - 723 - 573 K) at 15 psi pressure drop for 1200 hours. In another test, a Pd MPSS composite membrane with an oxide layer as an intermetallic diffusion barrier was tested for long term performance and thermal cycling (623 - 723 - 623 K) at 15 psi pressure drop for 408 hours. Both Pd membranes showed excellent hydrogen permeability and infinite selectivity during the operation period. The physical and morphological features of the membranes at pre- and post-annealing, post permeability test, and post long term thermal stability test were studied by SEM, XRD, EDS, and AFM analysis.

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