Application of extended permeability to a thick palladium membrane

Abstract

Some dense metal membranes are permeable only to hydrogen, useful to produce and purify hydrogen. Conventionally, hydrogen permeation flux through metal membranes is described as the square-root law. The permeability defined in the law is commonly used as a measure of membrane material. However, deviation from the law has been widely reported. We have extended the definition of permeability for precise description. This study applied it to a thick palladium membrane down to 0.01 MPa in absolute pressure. Experimental results showed that hydrogen permeation flux through the palladium membrane 200 μm thick did not obey the square-root law completely. From the permeation behavior, pressure-dependent permeability was evaluated. The resultant permeability was found to decrease and become a constant value, or intrinsic permeability, as pressure approached vacuum. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.