Grantee Research Project Results

Separation and Purification of Hydrogen From Mixed Gas Streams Using Hollow Glass Microspheres

EPA Grant Number: X832541C005
Subproject: this is subproject number 005 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant X832541
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER)
Center Director: Earl, David A.
Title: Separation and Purification of Hydrogen From Mixed Gas Streams Using Hollow Glass Microspheres
Investigators: Shelby, James
Institution: Alfred University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2008
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2006) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Targeted Research

Objective:

In light of current fears surrounding global warming, the appeal of alternative fuel sources continues to grow. A major obstacle standing in the way of the hydrogen economy is the expense and difficulty of the purification and separation of hydrogen from mixed gases. Due to different permeabilities of gases through vitreous silica, it is believed that glass would make an exceptional membrane for gas separation, which has been proposed as far back as Barrer. Hollow glass microspheres have extremely thin walls which makes them ideal membranes for this application. The other exceptional benefit of using hollow glass microspheres is the ease at which they can be produced, using recycled glass frit from beer bottles. Other inorganic membrane materials used for this application often rely upon the fabrication of continuous palladium/palladium alloy films which selectively allow hydrogen to pass. As could be imagined, processing a membrane as such is no simple task, and if any pinhole is present in the film the membrane is rendered useless.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 4 publications for this subproject | View all 10 publications for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

hydrogen, gas separation, membrane, gas permeability, gas diffusion, hydrogen fuel,

Progress and Final Reports:

2007 Progress Report

Final Report

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

X832541 Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER)

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
X832541C001 Microarray System for Contaminated Water Analysis
X832541C003 The Fining Behavior of Selectively Batched Commercial Glasses
X832541C004 The Use of Fly Ash in the Production of SiAlON based Structural Ceramics
X832541C005 Separation and Purification of Hydrogen From Mixed Gas Streams Using Hollow Glass Microspheres
X832541C006 Magnesium Rich Coatings for Corrosion Control of Reactive Metal Alloys
X832541C008 Tunneled Titanate Photocatalysts for Environmental Remediation and Hydrogen Generation
X832541C009 Material and Environmental Sustainability in Ceramic Processing
X832541C010 Robust, Spectrally Selective Ceramic Coatings for Recycled Solar Power Tubes
X832541C011 Recycling of Silicon-Wafers Production Wastes to SiAlON Based Ceramics with Improved Mechanical Properties
X832541C012 Emissions Reduction of Commercial Glassmaking Using Selective Batching

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.