Steam-stable silica membrane for industrial hydrogen
This technology is a specialized membrane that separates hydrogen gas from mixed gas streams—such as those produced during industrial hydrogen production or coal gasification—with very high purity and efficiency. The membrane is made by depositing a thin, glassy mixed-oxide layer onto a porous support using chemical vapor deposition, resulting in a structure that lets hydrogen pass through quickly while blocking carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. The key commercial differentiator is durability: conventional silica membranes degrade rapidly in the presence of steam, but this composite retains at least half its hydrogen permeability after 120 hours in 60% steam at 400°C. That steam-stability makes it suitable for real industrial environments like water-gas shift reactors and pre-combustion carbon capture systems.
What you could build
A membrane module product for integration into hydrogen production plants, refineries, or pre-combustion carbon capture systems, sold to industrial gas companies, refinery operators, or clean hydrogen producers who need durable, high-purity hydrogen separation at elevated temperatures.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based defense facilities, naval installations, and energy companies exploring hydrogen fuel infrastructure would be relevant end-market contacts; materials manufacturers or membrane companies with mid-Atlantic R&D presence could be licensing targets.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- S. Ted Oyama, Yunfeng Gu
- Granted
- September 8, 2009
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7585356
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.