The present invention provides for a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process for the substantial removal of H.sub.2O and CO.sub.2 from a synthesis gas to obtain a multicomponent product gas substantially free of H.sub.2O and CO.sub.2 with high recovery of the product gas. Further, the present invention provides an integrated process that achieves sufficiently high H.sub.2 and CO recoveries such that compression and recycling of the syngas purification PSA tailgas is not necessary to be economically advantageous compared to the conventional processes.

A method for manufacturing a diaphragm support member with a diaphragm support made of a sintered metal having a diaphragm layer, comprising at least the following steps: a. providing a laminar or tubular diaphragm support made of a porous sintered metal with a surface that is provided for the purpose of being coated with the diaphragm layer; b. providing a metallic connecting element for connecting the diaphragm support to a gas-carrying line; c. connecting the diaphragm support and connecting element with a weld seam to the diaphragm support member and forming a first connection zone between the weld seam and diaphragm support and a second connection zone between the weld seam and the connecting element; d. arranging a metal layer on the surface and the weld seam so that the metal layer covers at least the first connection zone; d. cohesively joining the metal layer at least with the surface and the weld seam; and e. coating at least portions of the surface and at least portions of the foil with the diaphragm layer. A diaphragm support member comprising at least one diaphragm support made of a porous sintered metal and a metallic connecting element for connecting the diaphragm support to a gas-carrying line is also provided.

Proposed are a process and a plant for producing a synthesis gas product stream having an adjustable H.sub.2/CO ratio and a pure hydrogen stream, wherein it is provided according to the invention that a substream of a deacidified synthesis gas stream is supplied to a membrane separation plant fitted with a hydrogen-selective membrane and the remaining substream is supplied to a pressure swing adsorption plant, wherein the latter affords a pure hydrogen stream and a fuel gas stream. The hydrogen-enriched permeate stream obtained from the membrane separation is likewise supplied to the pressure swing adsorption plant, thus enhancing the yield of pure hydrogen. The hydrogen-depleted retentate stream obtained from the membrane separation is discharged as a synthesis gas product stream and if of a suitable composition may be utilized as oxo gas.

In order to provide a hydrogen purification device in which a source gas is supplied, from which a purified gas flows out, that is easily manufacturable, and in which the pressure resistance of an hydrogen permeable membrane is high, the hydrogen purification device is configured to include a hydrogen permeable membrane allowing hydrogen to selectively permeate therethrough, two porous supports that sandwich and support the hydrogen permeable membrane from both surfaces thereof, and a casing having a space formed therein configured to accommodate reaction of the source gas and the hydrogen permeable membrane. The porous supports are contained inside the casing, an outermost edge of the hydrogen permeable membrane extends outward from the outer edges of the porous supports in at least one location, and a peripheral portion of the hydrogen permeable membrane in a vicinity of the outermost edge and the casing are airtightly sealed to each other.

Provided are a novel heat utilization system and heat generating device that utilize an inexpensive, clean, and safe heat energy source. A heat utilization system 10 includes a heat-generating element 14 configured to generate heat by occluding and discharging hydrogen, a sealed container 15 having a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 partitioned by the heat-generating element 14, and a temperature adjustment unit 16 configured to adjust a temperature of the heat-generating element 14. The first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 have different hydrogen pressures. The heat-generating element 14 includes a support element 61 made of at least one of a porous body, a hydrogen permeable film, and a proton conductor, and a multilayer film 62 supported by the support element 61. The multilayer film 62 has a first layer 71 made of a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm and a second layer 72 made of a hydrogen a hydrogen storage metal different from that of the first layer, a hydrogen storage alloy different from that of the first layer, or ceramics and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm.

A method for upgrading biogas to methanol, including the steps of: providing a reformer feed stream comprising biogas; optionally, purifying the reformer feed stream in a gas purification unit; optionally, prereforming the reformer feed stream together with a steam feedstock in a prereforming unit; carrying out steam methane reforming in a reforming reactor heated by means of an electrical power source; providing the synthesis gas to a methanol synthesis unit to provide a product including methanol and an off-gas. Also, a system for upgrading biogas to methanol.

Provided are a novel heat utilization system and heat generating device that utilize an inexpensive, clean, and safe heat energy source. A heat utilization system 10 includes a heat-generating element 14 configured to generate heat by occluding and discharging hydrogen, a sealed container 15 having a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 partitioned by the heat-generating element 14, and a temperature adjustment unit 16 configured to adjust a temperature of the heat-generating element 14. The first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 have different hydrogen pressures. The heat-generating element 14 includes a support element 61 made of at least one of a porous body, a hydrogen permeable film, and a proton conductor, and a multilayer film 62 supported by the support element 61. The multilayer film 62 has a first layer 71 made of a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm and a second layer 72 made of a hydrogen a hydrogen storage metal different from that of the first layer, a hydrogen storage alloy different from that of the first layer, or ceramics and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm.

The present invention is directed to modifications of bitumen and heavy oil upgrading and refining processes to synthesize synthetic crude oil and other valuable synthesized hydrocarbon products in an efficient manner along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products formed by the upgrading process.

A bio-renewable conversion process for making fuel from bio-renewable feedstocks is combined with a hydrogen production process that includes recovery of CO.sub.2. The integrated process uses a purge gas stream comprising hydrogen from the bio-renewable hydrocarbon production process in the hydrogen production process.

The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.