Hydrogen separation from syngas using high-temperature proton conductors

Hydrogen pumps using high-temperature proton conductors have been examined as a candidate means of hydrogen separation from syngas. Durability to CO2 is a main concern for the alkali-earth-containing perovskites and was tested for a few typical compositions. Ce-excluded and cerate–zirconate solid solution electrolytes, SrZr0.9Y0.1O3-α, and BaCe0.6Zr0.3Nd0.1O3-α were stable in CO2-containing atmospheres, whereas they showed poor overpotential characteristics when platinum electrodes were used. It is demonstrated that the hydrogen pumping properties can be much improved for the case of SrZr0.9Y0.1O3-α by the use of palladium anode and SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3-α interlayer for the cathode.