Rationale:
The development of durable, highly-selective zeolite thin film membranes for H₂ separation and purification for hydrogen applications.

H₂ is manufactured: from H₂O or CH₄
      H₂O H₂ + 1/2 O₂; CH₄ + 2H₂O 4H₂ + CO₂

Needs:

• H₂O Management in proton exchange fuel cells (PEMFC); H₂ separations from O₂, CH₄, CO, CO₂, H₂O
• Platinum catalysts needed for PEMFC technology are very expensive
• Zeolite defect-free membranes are mechanically, thermally, and chemically robust; can withstand high temps (>80°C) as opposed to PEMs which need cooling (energy intensive)

Objectives of Sandia separations program:

Synthesis, modeling/simulations, and permeation of defect-free thin film zeolite membranes for H₂ separations associated with fuel cells

Contact:
Tina Nenoff, PI
tmnenof@sandia.gov
(505) 844-0340