high purity hydrogen

Researchers at Eindhoven University have developed a cleaner, more efficient way of producing high purity hydrogen from natural gas. Hydrogen is useful because it is a non-polluting, relatively efficient energy carrier. The most common way of producing hydrogen from natural gas is through steam formation, which wastes a lot of energy. Researchers have now developed new technology called "sorption enhanced catalytic reforming of methane.” The process uses a Rhodium-based catalyst, and would allow for the production of hydrogen at a significantly lower temperature and pressure, which results in less wasted energy. If the temperature is between 400-500 degrees and the pressure is around 4.5 bar they “Direct production of high purity hydrogen and fuel conversion greater than 99.5%” can be achieved (Halabi). This seems good to me because it would waste less energy, produce less carbon emissions, and use fewer materials. A downside would be that Rhodium is expensive.



http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110512103946.htm