Palladium-Based Alloy Membranes for Separation of High Purity Hydrogen from Hydrogen-Containing Gas Mixtures

Palladium-based alloys with yttrium, copper, ruthenium or indium additions were investigated. Their specific hydrogen permeability, strength, linear thermal expansion in hydrogen and corrosion resistance in a number of gas media were determined. This allowed effective membrane elements to be developed using membranes made from these alloys, which are used for the separation of high purity hydrogen from hydrogen-containing gas mixtures. Membrane elements with 93.5 wt% palladium-6 wt% indium-0.5 wt% ruthenium alloy membranes were developed by the authors’ research group, and their technical characteristics are described.