removal of hydrogen from an organic vapor stream?

[colemanstoops]

This may be somewhat unusual: what technology/technologies would you suggest as a starting point for removal of hydrogen as a potentially valuable byproduct from an organic vapor stream at about 25 psig and 400°F? The organics present are all C2 oxygen-containing species; the process is a catalytic dehydrogenation of ethanol. Hydrogen is present in the stream on the close order of 16-17 mole per cent.

I thought of pressure swing adsorption but I believe that's the solution to the inverse problem; i.e., how one removes small amounts of contaminants from a stream that is largely hydrogen itself. Further, I thought hydrogen might be sparingly soluble at most in ethanol/acetaldehyde/etc. and that cooling/condensing the gas stream would permit a physical separation but I'm not entirely convinced (would an equation of state thermodynamic model be best for simulation of this?).

Insights would be most helpful. Thanks.

 

[Latexman]

I think condensing would work well, but you may need chilled water due to the acetaldehyde (nBP = 20 C). I have used condensation in a C6 oxygen-containing process that evolved H2. Get K values from vapor pressures and Henry constants (H2) and do an ideal flash to get a feel for what will happen.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[thorium1]

perhaps if you detail the composition I might be able to help.