Abstract
Abstract The thermobaric and concentrational stresses, which arise during the operation of a membrane element under cyclic conditions, can result in the violation of the integrity of a membrane comprising an element and in failure of the element. Studies of the effect of thermobaric cycling in a hydrogen atmosphere at operating parameters (pressure differential, temperature, time of operation) on the properties of membranes allow us to determine the optimum operation conditions of the membrane element. The stability of the Pd–6 wt % In–0.5 wt % Ru–1 wt % Co membrane structure is estimated using the studied temperature dependence of the specific hydrogen permeability of the membrane during its operation in a hydrogen atmosphere, and the possibility of efficient operation of the membrane under given conditions in a temperature range of 250–600°C is noted. The surface of the Pd–6 wt % In–0.5 wt % Ru–1 wt % Co membrane subjected to thermobaric cycling in a commercial-purity hydrogen atmosphere is studied by atomic force microscopy and X‑ray diffraction analysis.