Patent ID: 6458189
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B01D,C01B,H01M,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
A fuel processor, comprising:a hydrogen-producing region adapted to receive a carbon-containing feedstock and water and produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases therefrom, wherein the hydrogen-producing region includes at least one reforming region containing a reforming catalyst bed; and a membrane module adapted to receive the mixed gas stream and to separate the mixed gas stream into a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases and a product stream containing at least substantially hydrogen gas, the membrane module comprising: a hydrogen-selective membrane having a feed side and a permeate side, wherein the product stream is formed from a portion of the mixed gas stream that passes through the membrane and the byproduct stream is formed from a portion of the mixed gas stream that does not pass through the membrane; and a support adapted to support the membrane, wherein the support includes a surface adapted to engage the permeate side of the membrane, and further wherein the surface includes a coating that is adapted to prevent intermetallic diffusion between the membrane and the surface, and further wherein the coating is selected to be thermodynamically stable with respect to decomposition in the presence of hydrogen.