Hydrogen Purification

UOP’s Polybed PSA sets the industry standard for H2 purification and recovery

For hydrogen recovery/purification applications where the feed stream is at low to intermediate pressure (<1000 psig) and where downstream process requirements require minimum pressure reduction and high purity hydrogen product, Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology is the process of choice.  UOP’s market leading Polybed PSA technology is the result of years of technical innovation and commercial experience.  As the industry leader in molecular sieve/adsorbent research and development, UOP combines superior high performance adsorbent technology with innovative process and mechanical design.  Process benefits include:

• The highest hydrogen recovery through the use of proprietary UOP adsorbents.
• Maximum production of hydrogen due to control systems that automatically adjust to maintain production, even during upset conditions.
• Lower capital cost due to adsorbent efficiency, process design, and control philosophy
• Minimal feed pretreatment requirements
• Long adsorbent life (>30 years)

UOP offers Polybed PSA systems as skid mounted, modular units, complete with hardware, adsorbents, and controls systems.  UOP does the detailed design and project management, with fabrication completed by a rigorously qualified sub-vendors under UOP supervision.  Benefits of UOP supply are:

• Superior knowledge of upstream and downstream hydrogen requirements and implications  - Get the most economical unit in the most profitable application
• Valves, vessels, and other equipment selected specifically for PSA service
• On-time, on-spec delivery, easy installation, quick start-up
• Superior quality control resulting in long-term safe, reliable operation
• Greater than 99.8% on-stream factor from the rigorous design and selection of the valves and control system.
• Full portfolio of UOP services including commissioning, troubleshooting and revamps for future operations.

UOP has supplied over 900 Polybed PSA Systems for customers in more than 70 countries.

Please contact us for further information.

UOP Polysep Membranes offer low-cost solutions for high-pressure hydrogen separations

For hydrogen recovery/separation applications where the feed stream is at high pressure (typically > 1000 psig) and a lower pressure product stream at 95+% purity fits process requirements, the use of hydrogen membranes can be a cost effective solution.  For this service, UOP offers Polysep Membrane Systems that combine state-of-the-art composite membrane technology with advances in polymer science, a combination that results in membranes that are fundamentally different from others. The Polysep membrane family of separation polymers offers a range of separation characteristics (permeability, selectivity, and contaminant resistance) that allow the design of an optimum system to fit a given process need. Both hollow fiber and spiral would membrane elements are offered.

The benefits of UOP’s Polysep Membranes relative to other separation technologies are:

• Simple design, no moving parts, low investment cost
• High separation selectivity and contaminant resistance
• Ease of installation and maintenance
• Minimum manpower requirement
• High reliability / on-stream factor
• Future expandability
  

UOP offers the Polysep Membrane System as a skid mounted, modular unit.  UOP does the detailed design and project management, with fabrication completed by a rigorously qualified sub-vendors under UOP supervision.  Benefits of UOP supply are:

• Superior knowledge of upstream and downstream hydrogen requirements and implications – Get the most economical unit in the most profitable application
• On-time, on-spec delivery, easy installation, quick start-up
• Superior quality control resulting in long-term safe, reliable operation
• Full portfolio of UOP services including commissioning, troubleshooting and revamps for future operations.

UOP has supplied our customers with over 70 Polysep Membrane Systems. 

Please contact us for further information.