Testing Of Polymer Membranes For The Selective Permeability Of Hydrogen

Abstract

Selective gas barriers are of prime importance in thin polymer membranes. The focus of this work was to find a polymer membrane that allows the transport of H2 and acts as a barrier to CO2 and chlorinated organics. Membrane screening has included the following testing: single gas permeability measurements, mixed gas separations, and polymer physical characterization. Single gas permeability measurements were made using the time-lag method for five gases (H2, O2, N2, CO2, and CH4). Permeability coefficients and selectivities for the gas pair H2/CO2 are presented. Mixed gas separations were performed to measure actual separation factors for H2/CCl4 and to determine the effects on hydrogen permeability caused by exposing polymers to chlorinated hydrocarbons. The results of basic polymer characterization, such as polymer density and glass transitions, are addressed.