A multi-membrane reformer for the direct production of hydrogen via a steam-reforming reaction of methane

We designed and prepared a multi-membrane reformer (MMR) for the direct production of hydrogen via a steam-reforming (SR) reaction of methane. The MMR consisted of two single modules containing coin-shaped nickel metal catalysts and Pd-based membrane. The SR reaction was performed in the MMR for relatively high-pressure operation ranges (P₂ = ∼21 bar) without sweep gas and the methane conversion and hydrogen production rate were observed under various experimental conditions. It was found that the high-performance of the Pd-based membrane and the porous metal catalyst and their configuration in the MMR guaranteed a high rate of hydrogen production. For instance, the methane conversion, the rate of hydrogen separation and the hydrogen purity were 75%, 30.6 L/h and 99.95%, respectively, under the experimental conditions of 540 °C, S/C = 3.0 and del-P = 20 bar. The design and performance of MMR show potential advantages, such as the simple preparation of a compact membrane reformer able to operate in relatively high-pressure ranges and easy enlargement of the hydrogen production capacity by stacking the modules, which is possible due to the disk-type shape of the metal catalyst and the membrane.