Development of Thin Macro-Porous Metallic Support Structures for Hydrogen Separation Membranes

摘要

To achieve the desired physical separation and flow characteristics for inorganic hydrogen separation membranes, the ceramic portion of the composite must be very thin (<2 μm) and form a matrix of interconnected micropores having a mean diameter of 10nm or less. Support for such a thin and weak ceramic structure is stabilized by applying the membrane to a strong porous support structure, preferably metal. This study investigates the influence of sintering temperature and sintered structure thickness on pore evolution and distribution within a metallic support structure. Spherical Fe_3Al - based powders (< 5 μm) were used to produce porous sintered structures, 0.05 mm thick using 3 different sintering temperatures. The sintered structures were evaluated in terms of sintering state, and pore contiguity. Support from DOE-FE (ARM program) through Ames Lab contract no. W-7405-Eng-82 is gratefully acknowledged.