Patent ID: 7972420
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: C01B,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A hydrogen-processing assembly, comprising: an enclosure, comprising: a hydrogen-separation assembly positioned within the internal volume in a spaced relation to at least a portion of the internal perimeter of the body of the enclosure, the hydrogen-separation assembly including at least one hydrogen-selective membrane and having an outer perimeter measured in the plane of the at least one hydrogen-selective membrane, wherein the hydrogen-separation assembly is adapted to receive a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases and to separate the mixed gas stream into the permeate stream and the byproduct stream, wherein the permeate stream has at least one of a greater concentration of hydrogen gas and a lower concentration of the other gases than the mixed gas stream, and further wherein the byproduct stream contains at least a substantial portion of the other gases; wherein the permeate region of the internal volume is defined between at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the hydrogen-separation assembly and at least a portion of the internal perimeter of the body of the enclosure, wherein an external surface of the hydrogen-separation assembly includes a plurality of sides, and further wherein the permeate stream contacts a majority of the plurality of sides.