Hydrogen Gas Purifiers for Fuel Cells

Transcription

1 Hydrogen Gas Purifiers for Fuel Cells Hannover April 13, 2015 Marco Succi

2 Outline Short introduction to Saes Pure Gas, Inc. Technologies for the purification of hydrogen Purifiers for Fuel Cells Conclusions

3 SAES Pure Gas, Inc. Leveraging the unique competence of gas impurity sorption and gas purification equipment design, SAES Pure Gas is the world leader in gas purification technologies. SAES has the largest offering of equipment solutions to purify all gases for the manufacturing of silicon based semiconductor devices, LEDs, fiber optics, LCDs and OLEDs (display industry), and photovoltaic devices. Point of Use Customer Service MegaTorr

4 Pure Gas Handling BULK GAS PURIFIERS POINT OF USE AMC ANALYSIS Main applications Large volume gas handling for industrial uses: Silicon Semiconductor Flat Panel Displays LED Power Devices Zero Air for Car Exhaust Analysis Main applications Gas handling next to the process chamber for: Chemical Vapor Deposition Epitaxial Growth Etching Metallization Photolithography Emerging Technology (Fuel Cells, Solar, Diamond Thin Films etc.) Main applications Pressurized Gases (N₂, CDA, etc.) Ambient Air/Cleanroom monitoring CUSTOMER SERVICE

5 Technologies for Hydrogen Purification The most common technologies for H 2 purification: PSA (Pressure Swing Absorption) Membrane (non precious metal) Electrochemical purification and compression Adsorber Purifiers Regenerable Adsorber Purifiers Getter Based Purifiers LED Palladium Purifiers Cryogenic Separation

6 SAES Technologies for H 2 Purification Adsorber Regenerable Adsorber Getter Palladium Membrane

7 Adsorber Technology Total flexibility in size and configuration Flow rates up to 2,000 slpm Pressure ratings up to 200 bar Low pressure drop Minimal cost of ownership Regenerable offline Automated Microprocessor Controller Continuous purification Compact Low power consumption System Alarms H 2 Leak Detection Sensor Vented Cabinet Purge

8 Adsorber Technology Removes the following impurities: O 2, H 2 O, CO, CO 2, NH 3, sulfur compounds and some hydrocarbons Transparent to N 2, CH 4, and rare gases Inlet gas purity: 3N or better Available for flow rates up to 1000 m 3 /h Low pressure drop Typical lifetime of the adsorber column: 1 3 years Regenerable offline (no waste of H 2 on site) or inline Works at room temperature

9 Adsorber Purifier Typical Purity Levels

10 Hydrogen Purification

11 Removal of Different O 2 and H 2 O Concentrations

12 CO Removal

13 Ammonia Removal

14 Sulphur Compound Removal

15 Purifier Specifications

16 Palladium Membranes How They Work Palladium (Pd) purifies by dissolving the H 2 into the Pd membrane. The partial pressure across the membrane pushes the H 2 through the membrane. No other gas can pass through Pd. Purifiers operate between 380 and 410 degrees C.

17 Palladium Technology All impurities (non hydrogen species) are removed including oxygen, carbons, nitrogen, organics, inorganics and inert gases (Ar, He, etc.) Only allows hydrogen molecules to pass through to the outlet Inlet gas purity: 3N or even lower grade Available for flow rates up to 110 m 3 /h High pressure drop Operate at high temperature Unlimited lifetime no regeneration or replacement due to consumable components About 2 3% of the incoming H 2 is lost to purge out the impurities

18 Palladium Technology One Cell design Maximum Flow: slpm (1 42 Nm3/hr) With 20 bar in/8 bar out Over 25 sizes of cells available Two Cell design Maximum Flow: 1 1,400 slpm (1 84 Nm3/hr) With 20 bar in/8 bar out Over 25 sizes of cells available

19 Palladium Purifier Typical Purity Levels

20 Palladium Purifier Typical Purity Levels

21 Application of SPG Hydrogen Purifiers for use with FC High capacity sulphur removal purifiers for hydrogen and natural gas can protect Fuel Cells when the inlet sulphur content is in the range of ppm CO, H 2 O and other impurity removal to supply clean H 2 to the Fuel Cell Pd purifiers to reduce impurity concentration(s) from thousands of ppm, N 2 included, to low ppb level Under development a low cost solution to remove high concentration(s) of impurities, up to 20% 30% in H 2

22 Why Install a Gas Purifier? They protect the Fuel Cell stack from poor quality batches of hydrogen They ensure that a consistent quality of hydrogen supplied to the Fuel Cell Stack Purification improves the quality of hydrogen Decay or lifetime depend on H2 purity?

23 Conclusions Existing technologies for H 2 purification are capable of complying with the target set by ISO14687 for FC applications. Gas purification should be integrated into the H 2 supply chain to guarantee stable and reliable H 2 purity. Dedicated purifiers can be designed to seamlessly integrate with the H 2 distribution chain. Gas purifiers can easily provide consistent H 2 purity at the low levels needed for fuel cell applications. Cooperation between the various providers involved in the H 2 supply chain is essential to minimize the H 2 delivery costs at the required purity levels. SAES is available to study the impact of hydrogen and/or air purity on FC performance.

24 Thank you for your attention