Abstract: A method of heating process streams fed to a boiler incorporating an oxygen transport membrane device that includes an oxygen-containing stream and a boiler feed water stream. The membrane device separates oxygen to support combustion of a fuel and generate heat to raise the steam. Heat is recovered and process streams are heated by separately heating portions of the oxygen-containing stream and the boiler feed water stream with a retentate stream produced from the oxygen separation and a flue gas stream generated from the combustion. The flow rate of the portion of the oxygen-containing stream heated by the retentate stream is greater than that heated by the flue gas stream to help minimize heat transfer area and thus, fabrication costs. Also, water is condensed from the flue gas stream during the heat exchange involved in the heat recovery to increase thermodynamic efficiency.

Abstract: An electrically driven oxygen separation element and method in which an oxygen containing feed stream is passed through a passageway of a composite structure having a current collector defining the passageway, a cathode electrode to ionize the oxygen, an electrolyte to transport oxygen ions to an anode to recombine into elemental oxygen. An elongated element, preferably formed of an irregular mesh of wire having loops in contact with the current collector can be provided to disrupt the flow directly adjacent the current collector and to help distribute the electrical current along the length of the current collector.

Abstract: A method of heating process streams fed to a boiler incorporating an oxygen transport membrane device that includes an oxygen-containing stream and a boiler feed water stream. The membrane device separates oxygen to support combustion of a fuel and generate heat to raise the steam. Heat is recovered and process streams are heated by separately heating portions of the oxygen-containing stream and the boiler feed water stream with a retentate stream produced from the oxygen separation and a flue gas stream generated from the combustion. The flow rate of the portion of the oxygen-containing stream heated by the retentate stream is greater than that heated by the flue gas stream to help minimize heat transfer area and thus, fabrication costs. Also, water is condensed from the flue gas stream during the heat exchange involved in the heat recovery to increase thermodynamic efficiency.

Abstract: A method of heating a fluid utilizing a process heater having one or more first combustion zones and one or more second combustion zones. The combustion of a fuel is divided between the first and second combustion zones. The oxygen is provided for combustion within the first combustion zone by one or more oxygen transport membranes that contribute between about 50 and 99 percent of the stoichiometric amount of oxygen required for complete combustion of the fuel passing through the process heater. A supplemental or secondary oxidant is introduced into second combustion zone to complete combustion of the fuel and thereby produce a flue gas stream containing between about 1 and 3 percent oxygen to ensure complete combustion of the fuel. In this manner, the surface area of the oxygen transport membranes may be reduced below the surface area that otherwise would be required if 100 percent of the oxygen were contributed by the oxygen transport membranes.

Abstract: A method of separating oxygen from an oxygen containing stream in which compressed and heated oxygen is introduced into cathode side of an oxygen transport membrane reactor. Oxygen is permeated from the cathode side to the anode side. Motive fluid that is introduced into an ejector draws an oxygen permeate containing stream from the anode side at a subatmospheric pressure to form an oxygen containing product stream. The motive fluid, which can be steam raised by combustion used in heating the reactor, can be separated from the oxygen containing product stream to form an oxygen product stream. The use of an ejector lowers the partial pressure of the oxygen at the anode side of the membrane reactor and therefore the degree to which the oxygen containing stream need be compressed.