Patent ID: 7033822

Claim:
A self-contained and streamlined methane and high purity hydrogen generation system, comprising: (a) an anaerobic digester for anaerobically digesting organic materials by the action of bacteria and/or enzymes contained therein to produce a mixed gas stream containing methane, carbon dioxide and trace impurities including hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen and oxygen; (b) at least one compressor in fluid communication with the anaerobic digester and in further fluid communication with a hydrogen generation and removal system and a mixed gas purification device; (c) at least one mixed gas-driven generator in fluid communication with the anaerobic digester and in electrical communication with the hydrogen generation and removal system and the mixed gas purification device, and optionally, in further electrical communication with the compressor(s); and (d) (i) the mixed gas purification device, which serves to remove hydrogen sulfide and/or carbon dioxide from the mixed gas stream to produce a methane product stream, wherein the mixed gas purification device is in fluid communication with the compressor and is in electrical communication with the generator; and (ii) the hydrogen generation and removal system, which comprises means for generating a hydrogen-rich gas from the compressed, mixed gas stream, and means for selectively removing hydrogen from the hydrogen-rich gas to produce a high purity hydrogen product stream, wherein the hydrogen generation and removal system has an operating pressure, and is in fluid communication with the compressor and is in electrical communication with the generator.