The project is concerned with the synthesis of ultra-thin precious metal membranes on ceramic substrates. The carriers should have a capillary shape, as an increased surface area per volume and increased pressure stability are expected compared to monolithic membrane carriers. These carriers must be produced in an optimized manner. After synthesis, the membranes are characterized according to their permeation properties. Later, they are to be connected directly to a high-pressure electrolysis process in order to be able to purify (dry) the hydrogen produced, but also to be able to feed it into a directly connected chemical synthesis. Due to the use of Pd and Pd alloys (binary and ternary systems) as membrane material, which is also catalytically active, these membranes can catalytically support not only the intended pure membrane transport processes but also directly connected subsequent reactions that take place using hydrogen and carbon dioxide (e.g. methanation, methanol synthesis). The areas of electrolysis and catalytic downstream reactions are thus directly linked by the use of a catalytically active membrane, which should result in a significant increase in efficiency. In order to be able to investigate the subsequent reactions, membrane sealing variants are being developed in the project and transferred to a reactor. Optimal process engineering parameters for membrane reactor operation are to be found. Furthermore, scaling options (e.g. membrane synthesis, membrane geometries, reactors incl. sealing) will be investigated. At the end of the project, the goals achieved will be critically compared with state-of-the-art processes. The objectives can be summarized with the following keywords: Carrier development, membrane production, catalytic investigations, plant and sealing concept, scaling options, industrial feasibility and evaluation.
Innovations and prospects
The project will make a significant contribution to making membrane processes even more effective because, in contrast to monolithic geometries, capillary membranes are addressed in this project. At the same time, despite the use of precious metals, inexpensive but very efficient membranes are to be synthesized. Many possible scenarios for future applications of these membranes (pure membrane separation, applications in membrane reactors for chemical reactions) can be derived from the expected results. The project should provide data and solution strategies for future-oriented separation processes with defined adjustable membrane properties, taking into account processing aspects, economic and ecological issues and a clear process engineering application reference.
