Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The proposed research is to develop thin Pd-based composite membranes for hydrogen separation applications at high temperatures. The short term objectives of this research are to: (1) seek Pd-based alloys possessing both appropriate hydrogen permeability and good thermal stability, (2) develop techniques for depositing promising alloys on suitable substrates to form thin pinhole-free Pd-based composite membrane, and (3) study impacts of impurities on hydrogen permeation performance of these thin alloy composite membranes. The long term objectives are to: (1) develop thin Pd-based alloy composite membranes with appropriate stability at high temperatures (500-650C) and (2) scale-up the techniques for preparing these composite membranes so that they have sufficient area to be suitable for practical industrial applications. An important component is to train highly qualified graduate engineers and scientists to support an emerging fuel cell industry in Canada. The proposed research provides a unique training opportunity for students, postdoctoral fellows and faculties. Students and PDFs will gain extensive training in membrane preparation, characterization and test, in data analysis, membrane separation/reaction and its modeling. This project also provides an excellent opportunity to the students/PDFs to interface with industry by participating in joint meetings and participating in hydrogen production in membrane reactors. The availability of cheap and pure hydrogen is a critical factor to the success of hydrogen fuel cell car. FBMR-SMR is very promising process to produce hydrogen cost-effectively with the required purity for fuel cell. A critical issue facing the FBMR-SMR process is the availability of thin pinhole-free hydrogen selective membranes. The main objective of this project is to address this issue. Hence, the success of this project will significantly improve the FBMR-SMR process for hydrogen production, and consequently, will benefit the entire fuel cell industry. Training of highly qualified personnel and developing related innovative technologies are essential elements to expand Canadian hydrogen economy and to maintain its lead in this field.