Oxygen removal in hydrogen streams by means of catalytic combustion

Abstract

This thesis focused on designing and constructing a deoxygenation reactor through a modular experimental setup for Catalytic Hydrogen Combustion (CHC). The developed system aims to enhance hydrogen purification techniques. The setup enables testing various catalysts and conditions to remove oxygen down to 5 ppm in a hydrogen stream.

The experimental system was designed from the ground up due to the lack of detailed information on existing systems. The design includes gas treatment, the catalytic reactor, and a post-process system, with several iterations for modularity and safety.

The final setup successfully removed oxygen in an initial test and allowed flexible reactor configurations for various catalyst tests. The system operated smoothly, maintaining gas composition and ensuring safe operation. The oxygen sensor performed reliably, providing data that aligned with the 1D model after adjustments.

In summary, this thesis lays a strong basis for further CHC research. The developed experimental setup is a robust and adaptable tool for researchers and engineers aiming to improve hydrogen purity for industrial applications.