CO Selox Reaction Using Y-type Zeolite Catalytic Membranes

The production of CO-free hydrogen streams for feeding PEM-Fuel Cells using catalytic zeolite membrane reactors was analysed by means of selective oxidation. Tubular FAU (Na-Y) zeolite membranes, prepared by a secondary growth method and Pt-loaded, were used in a flow-through MR configuration. The catalytic tests were carried out at 200°C and at different pressures with a simulated dry reformate shifted gas mixture (H2 ca. 60%, CO 1%, plus O2, N2, CO2). The operative O2/CO stoichiometric equivalent feed ratio was = 2. These catalytic tests, reducing the CO concentration down to 10~50 ppm, verified the possibility of MR integration after using a low temperature water-gas shift unit of a fuel processor to convert hydrocarbons into hydrogen-rich gas.