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Hydrogen Fuel Purification:

Different Technologies and

Quality Failure Risk Issues

Brusse ls - September 30, 2014

Marco Succ i

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Outline

Short introduction to Saes Pure Gas, Inc.

Technologies for the purification of hydrogen

Failure risk analysis

Critical impurities for PEM FC applications

Conclusions

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Leveraging the unique competence of gas impurity

sorption and gas purification equipment design, SAES Pure

Gas is the world leader in gas purification technologies.

Point of UsePoint of Use MegaTorrMegaTorrCustomer ServiceCustomer Service

SAES has the largest offering of

equipment solutions to purify all gases

for the manufacturing of silicon based

semiconductor devices, LEDs, fiber

optics, LCDs and OLEDs (display

industry) and photovoltaic devices.

SAES Pure Gas, Inc.

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BULK GAS

PURIFIERS

POINT OF

USE

AMC

ANALYSIS

Main applicationsGas handling next to the process

chamber for:

� Chemical Vapor Deposition

� Epitaxial Growth

� Etching

� Metallization

� Photolithography

� Emerging Technology (Fuel Cells,

Solar, Diamond Thin Films etc.)

Main applications� Pressurized Gases

(N₂, CDA, etc.)

� Ambient Air/Cleanroom

monitoring

Main applicationsLarge volume gas handling for

industrial uses:

� Silicon Semiconductor

� Flat Panel Displays

� LED

� Power Devices

� Zero Air for Car Exhaust

Analysis

CU

ST

OM

ER

SE

RV

ICE

Pure Gas Handling

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Technologies for Hydrogen Purification

LED

The most common technologies for H2 purification:

PSA (Pressure Swing Absorption)

Membrane (non precious metal)

Electrochemical purification and compression

Adsorber

Regenerable Adsorber

Getter

Palladium

Cryogenic

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SAES Technologies for H2 Purification

Adsorber Regenerable

AdsorberGetter Palladium

Membrane

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Getter Technology

Remove all impurities (including CO, NH3 and S compounds)

Transparent to rare gases

Ideal when the gas already has a good degree of purity, about

6N

Available from low flow rates up to 200 m3/h

Low pressure drop

Works at high temperature

Non regenerable

Typical lifetime of the getter column: 3-5 years

No waste of H2

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Getter Purifier Typical Purity Levels

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Getter Technology: Failure Risks

Presence of non-critical impurities, e.g. N2, could drastically

reduce the column lifetime

Replace getter cartridge before saturation occurs

Failure of the electronics

Failure of the heaters; not critical because impurities removal

is guaranteed even at room temperature although for a

shorter period of time

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Adsorber Technology

Automated Microprocessor Controller

Continuous purification

Compact

Low power consumption

System Alarms

H2 Leak Detection Sensor

Vented Cabinet Purge

Total flexibility in size and

configuration

Flow rates up to 2,000 slpm

Pressure ratings up to 200 bar

Low pressure drop

Minimal cost of ownership

Regenerable offline

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Adsorber Technology

Removes oxygen containing impurities: O2, H2O, CO, CO2, NH3,

sulfur compounds and some hydrocarbons

Transparent to N2, CH4, and rare gases

Inlet gas purity: 3N or better

Available for flow rates up to 1000 m3/h

Low pressure drop

Typical lifetime of the adsorber column: 1-3 years

Regenerable offline (no waste of H2 on site) or inline

Works at room temperature

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Adsorber Purifier Typical Purity Levels

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Hydrogen Purification

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Removal of Different O2 and H2O Levels

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Ammonia Removal

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Sulphur Compound Removal

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Adsorber Technology: Failure Risks

Replace adsorber cartridge before saturation

Unexpected exposure(s) to high impurity levels can drastically

reduce the purifier lifetime

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Palladium Technology

All impurities (non-hydrogen species) are removed – including oxygen, carbons, nitrogen, organics, inorganics and inert gases (Ar, He, etc.)

Only allows hydrogen molecules to pass through to the outlet

Inlet gas purity: 3N or even lower grade

Available for flow rates up to 110 m3/h

High pressure drop

Operate at high temperature

Unlimited lifetime – no regeneration or replacement due to consumable components

About 2-3% of the incoming H2 is lost to purge out the impurities

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Palladium Technology

One Cell design

Maximum Flow:

1 – 700 slpm (1-42

Nm3/hr) With 20

bar in/8 bar out

Over 25 sizes of

cells available

Two Cell design

Maximum Flow:1 – 1,400 slpm (1-84 Nm3/hr) With 20 bar in/8 bar out

Over 25 sizes of cells available

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Palladium Purifier Typical Purity Levels

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Palladium Technology: Failure Risks

Microleaks across the membrane can degrade gas purity

Failure of the electronics will stop gas flow

Failure of the heaters will stop gas flow

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ISO_14687-2:2012: Directory of Limiting Characteristics

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CollectTorr: Offline Microcontamination Inspection Service

Utilizes solid state traps

Measures contaminants in air or

high pressure gas streams

No utilities required for sample

collection

Compact self-contained design

Easy to install, operate and ship

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A purifier cannot be considered as a stand alone step in the H2

distribution system. Contamination levels will fluctuate with

different gas sources thus purification must be integrated in

the H2 distribution chain.

In combination with PSA or electrochemical compression

systems, Adsorber or Pd purifiers are an ideal tool to minimize

the cost of ownership of the H2 supply.

Purification will not only provide sufficiently clean H2 but will

also supply consistent gas quality.

Which Purification Technology is Best?

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Conclusions

Existing technologies for H2 purification are already capable of

complying with the target set by ISO14687 for FC applications.

Gas purification must be integrated into the H2 supply chain.

Dedicated purifiers could be designed to seamlessly integrate

with the H2 distribution chain.

Gas purifiers can easily provide consistent H2 purity at the low

levels needed for fuel cell applications.

Cooperation between the various providers involved in the H2

supply chain is essential to minimize the H2 delivery costs at

the purity levels required.

w w w. s a e s g r o u p . c o m

Thank you for your attention