Reference #: 01018
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for a method for purifying hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing gas stream that has hydrogen sulfide impurities.
Invention Description:
The subject invention is a method to purify hydrogen in the presence of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide impurities using a hydrogen pump.
Potential Applications:
Hydrogen purification
Advantages and Benefits:
The invention is simple, requires little power, and has been shown to pump hydrogen to high pressures.
Background:
Hydrogen is an important gas for industrial applications and as a fuel for fuel cell devices. Any hydrocarbon fuel that contains sulfur containing impurities (such as diesel, military strategic fuels, and jet fuel) that is used to produce hydrogen will convert the sulfur impurities to hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide acts as a poison to fuel cell catalysts and must be removed prior to use in fuel cells or other industrial applications. However, current hydrogen purification methods are energy-intensive processes, require significant excess hydrogen venting, or are expensive to operate.