(477g) Palladium Membrane Technology for Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen is expected to play a critical role in the transition to a sustainable energy system. It can help in promoting energy security and decarbonizing different sectors, especially those that are hard to abate such as long-haul transport and heavy industry. However, the majority of H₂ is currently produced through conventional processes, which are responsible for significant carbon emissions. Therefore, technologies for low-emission H₂ production are needed to unlock H₂ full potential as a sustainable energy carrier.

Herein, we present an overview of the palladium membrane technology and its development at Saudi Aramco’s Research and Development Center as a pre-combustion capture technology and promising route for low-carbon H₂ production. In this technology, the reforming reactor is designed to house H₂ perm-selective palladium-based membranes, thus facilitating simultaneous H₂ production and separation in one unit. Enhanced conversions beyond the thermodynamic limitations are achieved with high H₂ purity (>99%), all while operating at reduced temperatures of 500-600 ℃ compared to > 900 ℃ in the conventional reforming processes. Moreover, the produced CO₂ stream creates a single emission point of concentrated and pressurized CO₂, which can be captured more efficiently at reduced costs and energy penalties.