Patent ID: 8282811

Claim:
A system for producing high-pressure hydrogen, comprising: (a) a first device for generating hydrogen at a first pressure; and (b) integrated with said first device, a second device including at least one electrochemical hydrogen compressor cell, said electrochemical hydrogen compressor cell including an anode, wherein said anode is a gas-diffusion electrode, a solid metallic film cathode having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein at least one surface is roughened and/or comprises deposited or particulate material including one or more noble metals or transition metals to accelerate atomic hydrogen transport through the film, and an ionic conductive membrane in intimate contact with and separating said anode and said cathode, wherein said ionic conductive membrane is in contact with said inner surface of said solid metallic film, said anode capable of oxidizing hydrogen generated by said first device and said cathode capable of directly generating hydrogen atoms at said inner surface of said solid metallic film by direct reaction of water or hydrogen ions in said ionic conductive membrane with electrons to form atomic hydrogen without formation of hydrogen gas, and evolving hydrogen at a second pressure at said outer surface of said solid metallic film, wherein the first pressure is atmospheric or moderate pressure and the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.