Nano-porous Inorganic Membrane as a One-Step Sulfur Tolerant Hydrogen Recovery Device Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-040 Topic Title: Nano-porous Inorganic Membrane as a One-Step Sulfur Tolerant Hydrogen Recovery Device Proposal No.: N051-040-1404 Firm: Media and Process Technology Inc. 155 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238 Contact: K T Phone: (412) 826-3711 Abstract: This SBIR Phase I project focuses on the use of our hydrogen selective nanoporous inorganic membrane for hydrogen recovery from reformats. We believe that the unique performance features of our proposed membrane-based process can deliver an one-step hydrogen recovery process to meet the hydrogen purity requirement of the Navy SSFC, and, more importantly, to streamline the up-stream fuel reforming and down stream hydrogen preparation. In addition, this proposed non-metallic inorganic-based membrane product is not only sulfur tolerant, but also thermally, hydrothermally and "pressure" stable, suitable to integrate directly with the upstream and downstream processes. Our proposed Phase I program will generate separation performance database using synthetic streams simulating reformates generated from the Navy logistic fuel via both steam reforming and partial oxidation processes. In addition, a bench top treatability study will be performed to demonstrate the long-term (~ 4 weeks) performance stability in the presence of the maximum sulfur level. Finally, we will perform capital and operation economic analysis and the preliminary system design for the 40 and 300kW fuel cell system for evaluation by Navy. Benefits: Our unique membrane-based hydrogen separation process could play a pivotal role for the Navy SSFC program. This proposed hydrogen recovery system is not only able to deliver a high purity hydrogen product without prior desulfurization of the reformate generated from the Navy logistic fuel with high level of sulfur contamination, but also to potentially deliver a truly sulfur tolerant reforming process and an extremely-high- efficiency power generation system unique to the Naval SSFC operation. Return