Hydrogen permeation through thin supported SrCe0.7Zr0.2Eu0.1O3-δ membranes; dependence of flux on defect equilibria and operating conditions

Hydrogen permeation through SrCe0.7Zr0.2Eu0.1O3-delta membranes was investigated as a function of temperature, feed H2O partial pressure, feed H-2 partial pressure and flow rate. Hydrogen permeation flux was proportional to the transmembrane H-2 partial pressure gradient with a 1/4 dependence. A maximum H-2 permeation flux of 0.23 and 0.21 cm(3)/cm(2) min was obtained at 900 degrees C for 100% H-2 and 97 vol% H-2/3 vol% H2O conditions, respectively. The activation energy decreased with increasing H-2 partial pressure and/or decreasing steam partial pressure. Permeation flux through the SrCe0.7Zr0.2Eu0.1O3-delta membrane was stable under wet H-2, water gas shift reaction and steam reforming of methane conditions. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.