Hydrogen membrane - Technology  [ Return towards  Hydrogen membrane  ]

«Fast» gases, with a high permeation rate, diffuse through the hydrogen membrane into the hollow interior and are channeled into the permeate stream. «Slow» gases flow around the fibers and into the residue stream.

In this manner, a fast gas like hydrogen is separated from slower gases such as carbon monoxide, methane or other hydrocarbons.

Hydrogen (H2) is selectively separated from nitrogen (N2) by permeation through a hollow fiber hydrogen membrane (see illustration below). The driving force is the partial pressure difference across the membrane for Hydrogen, Nitrogen and other gas components.


Hydrogen (H2) is the "fast" gas, whereas nitrogen (N2) is the "slow" gas.  hydrogen membrane technology is based on polymeric hollow fibers. The pressurized feed gas enters the hydrogen bundle from the tube side; the nitrogen, methane and argon stay under pressure, and the Hydrogen (H2) is collected at a lower pressure.