US Patent 7115148 Compact methanol steam reformer with integrated hydrogen separation

Hydrogen is produced in a compact methanol-steam reformer, which integrates an inner cylindrical heating chamber; and a reactant vaporizer and heating zone, and an outer Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst bed in concentric annuli around the heating chamber. Tubular, palladium-silver alloy membranes in the catalyst bed separate hydrogen from retentate gas, which is separately discharged from the apparatus through a manifold.