Hydrothermal Stability Analysis of Carbonised Template Molecular Sieve Silica Membranes

For fuel cell CO clean up application, the presence of water with silica membranes greatly reduces their selectivity to CO. We show results of a new functional carbonised template membrane of around 13nm thickness which offered hydrothermal stability with no compromise to the membrane’s H2/CO permselectivity of 16. Lost permeance was also regenerated.

Hydrostability and Scaling Up Molecular Sieve Silica (MSS) Membranes for H2/CO Separation in Fuel Cell Systems

MSS membranes are a good candidate for CO cleanup in fuel cell fuel processing systems due to their ability to selectively permeate H2 over CO via molecular sieving. Successfully scaled up tubular membranes were stable under dry conditions to 400°C with H2 permeance as high as 2 x 10-6 mol.m-2.s^-1.Pa^-1 at 200 degrees C and H2/CO selectivity up to 6.4, indicating molecular sieving was the dominant mechanism. A novel carbonised template molecular sieve silica (CTMSS) technology gave the scaled up membranes resilience in hydrothermal conditions up to 400 degrees C in 34% steam and synthetic reformate, which is required for use in fuel cell CO cleanup systems.

River elevation, Kangaroo Point House, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

As seen from jetty, looking back towards house and crow's nest.

Column, Kangaroo Point House, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

Hand-made spotted gum column on edge of outdoor room.

Crow's nest, Kangaroo Point House, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

Deck and seating overlooking river.

Original living room, Kangaroo Point House, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

Original living room, looking through to new outdoor room.

Crow's nest, Kangaroo Point House, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

Structure to underside of deck and seating.

Original living room, Kangaroo Point House, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

As seen from outdoor room.

Sculpture alcove, Kangaroo Point House, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

Alcove to deck, as seen from garden.