Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen gas by reacting steam with a gas mixture containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce a hydrogen-enriched product gas and subjecting the product gas to pressure swing adsorption to produce a high purity hydrogen product and a hydrogen-depleted waste gas is improved by drying, where necessary, part of the gas mixture and subjecting the dry gas mixture to pressure swing adsorption using a carbon monoxide-selective adsorbent to produce a high purity carbon monoxide product gas and a carbon monoxide-depleted waste gas. Where the gas mixture is produced by endothermic reaction, one or both of the hydrogen-depleted waste gas and the carbon monoxide-depleted waste gas can be used as fuel to supply heat for the endothermic reaction.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of oxygen from air in which a high-temperature ion transport membrane system is integrated with combustion turbine system. Coproduction of oxygen and electric power is achieved in an alternative embodiment by integrating a combined cycle power generation system with an ion transport membrane system. The design performance of the gas turbine in the combined cycle system is maintained by controlled water injection into the membrane non-permeate stream, all or a portion of which optionally is introduced into the gas turbine combustor. Water can be introduced directly into the combustor air inlet. Alternatively, makeup air is added to the membrane feed to maintain the performance of the gas turbine. NOx formation is reduced by introducing the oxygen-depleted non-permeate from the membrane system to the gas turbine combustor.

Abstract: A direct ironmaking process in which coal and oxygen are used directly for reducing ore and smelting the resulting sponge iron wherein a high-temperature ion transport membrane process recovers oxygen for use in the ironmaking process. Heat for oxygen recovery is provided by combustion of medium-BTU fuel gas generated by the ironmaking process and/or by heat exchange with hot gas provided by the ironmaking process. The ironmaking and oxygen recovery processes can be integrated with a combined cycle power generation system to provide an efficient method for the production of iron, oxygen, and electric power.

Abstract: A heat exchanger or regenerator system useable in an air separation plant to minimize infiltration of air into the low pressure nitrogen stream comprising a heat exchanger (regenerator) having at least one flow path for the reversing heat exchange fluids, which flow path has at each end, an inlet branch and an outlet branch, wherein each branch has two series connected valves with a vent pipe between each pair of valves. Fluid flow through the vent pipe is controlled, e.g. by remotely actuable switch valves.