Methods, devices, and infrastructure systems for separating, removing, compressing, and generating hydrogen

Abstract

Hydrogen pumps include a proton conducting medium, and a nonporous hydrogen permeable anode electrode and/or nonporous hydrogen permeable cathode electrode. For example, the electrodes may be a solid thin metallic film such as palladium or a palladium alloy such as a palladium-copper alloy that allow for hydrogen permeation but not impurities, and thus, purifying a supply containing hydrogen. The proton conducting medium may be a solid anhydrous proton conducting medium disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode and the cathode electrode may be directly sealed to at least one of the proton conducting medium, a first member for distributing the supply containing hydrogen to the anode electrode, a second member for collecting a supply of purified hydrogen, and a gasket disposed around the proton conducting medium.