The effects of support material on the permeation characteristics of composite Pd membranes were examined. Membranes supported on uncoated porous stainless steel (USS) and zirconia (ZrO2) coated porous stainless steel were prepared by electroless plating. The reduced and uniform pore size of the ZrO2 made it possible to obtain a 6.9 um thick Pd layer, while that of the USS was 54.1 um. H2 flux testing conducted between 300-400C found that the membranes followed Sieverts Law. The thin Pd layer allowed for a higher flux, while the greater thickness of the USS membrane allowed for a higher selectivity. The reduced pore size of the ZrO2 increased the mass transfer resistance, resulting in a lower percentage of the maximum achievable permeability.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Li, Lester
• Young, Amanda E.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-043009-132248

Advisor

• Ma, Yi Hua

Year

• 2009

Date created

• 2009-04-30

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright