Applicability of membrane reactor technology in industrial hydrogen producing reactions: Current effort and future directions

Potent carbon-neutral energy carriers bring a vital solution for sustained industrialization and environmental protection. Hydrogen as a novel zero-emission energy carrier offers more than twice energy per unit mass compared to other fuels. Membrane reactor technology transforms gray hydrogen to blue by selective hydrogen separation and carbon dioxide capture from the product mixture. Moreover, improved reactant conversion during reversible steam reforming of methane, methanol, and ethanol; water gas-shift; and dehydrogenation of cyclic and aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as enhanced hydrogen yield are results of selective and distributed hydrogen separation from membrane reactor. In this review applicability of membrane reactor technology for above-mentioned reactions are discussed and effects of different membranes, reactor designs, and operating conditions on performance of membrane reactors are investigated. Finally, impact of membrane reactor technology on reactant conversion, product yield, and overall process are explained and future directions of this technology are outlined.