Designing and Optimizing a Multistage Hydrogen Pump

Stephanie NobleAdvisor: Professor Benziger

REU Partner: Chelsea Bonetti

Goals and MotivationOptimizing a Hydrogen Pump to Conserve Energy

1. Obtain un-polluted fuel (H2) and pure waste (CO2)2. Prove theoretical high energy efficiencies with multi-

stage design.

WHAT:

WHY:

1. Confirm theoretical performance of previous Multi-Stage Pump.

2. Design and optimize our own Multi-Stage Pump.i. Efficient/Effectiveii. Portableiii. Minimal Energy Loss

Process• Gases Enter

• Hydrogen/Carbon Mix

• Protons Cross Membrane• Electrochemical Pumping Process

• Leftover Gas Exits• In a Multi-Stage pump, these

pass to the next stage.• New CO2/H2 Ratio.

How a Hydrogen Pump WorksA Chemical Perspective

• Single-Stage• Advantages

• High Degree of Separation• Low Temperature

Operation• Acts as a Pump

• Disadvantages• Lower Efficiency• Serpentine flow

• (previous models)

HYDROGEN PUMP

Why a Hydrogen Pump?A Comparison with the Conventional System

It’s Customizable!

0102030405060708090

100

Efficiency of Operation of Hydrogen Pump

Hydrogen Recovery (%)Energy Efficiency (%)

Perc

ent(

%)

• BUT!... Multi-Stage• Same Advantages• Higher Theoretical Efficiency

Assembly of a Hydrogen PumpBrief Procedure

Linear Hydrogen PumpDesign Challenges and Final Product

STRENGTHS:• Durable

• Thorough Mixing• Ease-of-use

WEAKNESSES:• Difficult Screw Insulators

• Weak Luer Locks•Uneven Pressure

Distribution

More efficient than Commercial

Current @ 0.8 V and Pure H2:Our Design: 1.31 ACommercial: ~0.7 A

Our Design: EfficiencyEfficiency, Extent of Separation vs. Voltage

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.90

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

1

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.91C/H = 0 (Pure H2)

Extent of Sep'nEffi-ciency

Voltage

Exte

nt o

f Se

para

tion

Effici

ency

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.90

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

1

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.91C/H = 1

Voltage

Exte

nt o

f Se

para

tion

Effici

ency

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.90

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

1

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.91

CH = 2

Voltage

Exte

nt o

f Se

p'n

Effici

ency

0.35 0.45 0.55 0.65 0.75 0.85 0.950

0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9

1

00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.91

Commercial (CH = 2)

EfficiencyExtent of Sep'n

Voltage

Exte

nt o

f Se

p'n

Effici

ency

Optimization ParametersCustomizing a Single Unit

Why is there an optimum voltage?• Hydrogen can only cross the membrane so fast

• Limiting diffusion to and across the membrane

What controls where the optimum occurs?• Rate at which Hydrogen contacts the Membrane

• Feed: C/H Ratio, Flow rate

Current vs. Voltage

(Different C/H Ratios)

Data AnalysisAnalytical Program

Set Parameter

s

Set Optimum Values of

Each Stage

Analyze Data

Data AnalysisOptimization Program

• Prepare Program Parameters • Determine desired trends.

• Feed Condition Optimal Voltage• Fit with parameters determined experimentally.

• Design Program• Report Optimal Voltage from Trend• Alter Feed Conditions based on Previous Stages

ConclusionSeparate-Stage Design

• Increased effectiveness, durability, and ease-of use

Program for Multi-Stage Analysis• Observe efficiency/operation of both individual stages and Overall

Process• Separate Program for Optimizing a Single Stage

 Confirmation of Theoretical Process

• Observed similar trends• However, more Conclusive Results TBD

• Our Design and Program facilitate future Confirmation 

What’s next?

Multi-Stage Hydrogen Pump:The Future of Green Energy

Production

Special Thanks to:Professor Jay Benziger

May Jean CheahEric GauthierXuemei Wu

PRISM/PCCMPEI Grand Challenges

Program