Abstract: A process to generate an enhanced output of a desired product from an ion transport reactor utilizes the reaction products from both the cathode side and the anode side of an oxygen selective ion transport ceramic membrane. An oxygen donating first feed stream containing the desired product in a chemically bound state is delivered to the cathode side while an oxygen accepting second feed stream is delivered to the anode side. Following chemical reactions on both the cathode side and the anode side, a desired product is recovered from a first product stream exiting from the cathode side and from a second product stream exiting from the anode side such that the sum of the desired product contained within the two product streams exceeds that attainable from either product stream alone.

Abstract: A reactor comprising: a hollow shell defining a hermetic enclosure; a plurality of tube sheets disposed within said hermetic enclosure, a first one of said plurality of tube sheets defining a first chamber; at least one reaction tube each having a first end and an opposing second end, said first end being fixedly attached and substantially hermetically sealed to one end of said plurality of tube sheets and opening into said first chamber, the second end being axially unrestrained; each of said reaction tubes is comprised of an oxygen selective ion transport membrane with an anode side wherein said oxygen selective ion transport membrane is formed from a mixed conductor metal oxide that is effective for the transport of elemental oxygen at elevated temperatures and at least a portion of said first and second heat transfer sections are formed of metal; each of said reaction tubes includes first and second heat transfer sections and a reaction section, said reaction section disposed between said first and second

Abstract: A low energy cost process for the co-production of oxygen and nitrogen employing a fuel tube extending into the first oxygen selective ion transport membrane whereby fuel is introduced adjacent to the closed end and flows cocurrently with oxygen containing gas in the annulus and an oxygen selective ion transport membrane having a separator section and a reactor section. An oxygen-containing feedstock, typically air, is compressed and then contacts the cathode side of the separator section where a portion of the oxygen contained within the feedstock is transported to the anode side of the separator section and recovered as an oxygen product gas. Substantially the remainder of the oxygen contained within the feedstock is transported from the cathode side of the reactor section to the anode side and exothermically reacted with a fuel. Following the exothermic reaction, hot nitrogen rich product gas is expanded in a turbine to generate the power necessary to compress the feedstock.

Abstract: A process for separating a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and at least one other gas into an oxygen product gas stream having a selected concentration of oxygen, by removing the oxygen from a feed gas stream using an ion transport module containing an ion transport membrane having a retentate side and a permeate side to produce both an ultrapure oxygen gas stream emerging from the membrane into the permeate side and a retentate gas stream. The ultrapure oxygen gas stream is blended with an additive gas stream to produce an oxygen product gas stream having a selected concentration of oxygen.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting the formation of carbon and/or coke from a carbon-containing reactive gas stream on the permeate side of an oxygen ion transport membrane, or for increasing the oxygen partial pressure thereon, by separating a feed gas stream to form an oxygen-depleted gas stream on the retentate side and a gas stream containing oxygen reaction products on the permeate side. The permeate side is purged with the carbon-containing reactive gas stream, and at least a portion of the exhaust gas stream formed from the reaction of the reactive gas stream with the separated oxygen is recirculated to purge the permeate side.

Abstract: A process for producing synthesis gas and hydrogen by passing a compressed and heated oxygen-containing gas mixture into a reactor having at least one solid electrolyte oxygen ion transport membrane to separate transported oxygen Organic fuel reacts with the oxygen to form synthesis gas. The resulting synthesis gas is separated into hydrogen gas through at least one solid electrolyte hydrogen transport membrane to separate the transported hydrogen in the same or different separator.

Abstract: An integrated system utilizing a solid oxide fuel cell and at least one ion transport reactor to generate electric power and a product gas by delivering an oxygen-containing gas, typically air, to a first cathode side of the solid oxide fuel cell and delivering a gaseous fuel to a first anode side. Oxygen ions are transported through a membrane in the fuel cell to the first anode side and exothermally react with the gaseous fuel to generate electric power and heat. The heat and oxygen transport produces a higher-temperature, reduced-oxygen-content gaseous retentate stream exiting the cathode side of the solid oxide fuel cell which is delivered to a first ion transport reactor where a substantial portion of the residual oxygen is transported through an oxygen selective ion transport membrane. A product gas stream is then recovered.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the temperature of an oxygen-selective ion transport membrane within a desired temperature range includes providing an ion transport reactor with the oxygen-selective ion transport membrane. An oxygen-donating feed gas is delivered to a cathode side at a first temperature, at a first rate, and at a first oxygen partial pressure and a reactant gas is supplied to an anode side at a second temperature and a second rate. A physical condition is then established within the ion transport reactor that favors the transport of elemental oxygen through the oxygen selective ion transport membrane as oxygen ions. One or more process variables are then regulated to maintain the temperature of the oxygen selective ion transport membrane within the desired range.

Abstract: A process for producing at least an oxygen product gas stream, and power from a gas turbine, by compressing a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and heating the feed gas stream on the retentate side of an ion transport reactor membrane section to produce a heated feed gas stream. Oxygen permeating the ion transport reactor membrane section is reacted with a first fuel gas stream to produce a first combustion products gas stream. The heated feed gas stream is separated using an ion transport separator membrane section having a retentate side and a permeate side into an oxygen-depleted gas stream on the retentate side and an oxygen-containing gas stream on the permeate side. At least a portion of the first combustion products gas stream can be recovered, and energy is extracted from at least one gas stream to be expanded in a gas turbine to produce energy.

Abstract: A process for producing a gas stream containing oxygen and steam to feed a coal gasifier or other downstream process by compressing and heating a feed gas stream, and separating the heated feed gas stream into an oxygen-depleted gas stream on a retentate side of an ion transport membrane and an oxygen-containing gas stream on a permeate side. The permeate side is purged with a purge gas stream containing steam to produce a gas stream containing oxygen and steam, and at least a portion of the gas stream containing oxygen and steam is fed to the coal gasifier after blending with a pure oxygen stream recovered from the remaining portion of the purge stream or by a parallel nonpurged ion transport separator in the system to achieve the appropriate steam-to-oxygen ratio for the downstream process.

Abstract: A process for producing an oxygen-depleted gas stream and a high-pressure gas stream containing oxygen and steam by compressing a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen, heating the feed gas stream, and separating the heated feed gas stream using one or more ion transport modules into the oxygen-depleted gas stream on a retentate side and an oxygen gas stream on a permeate side of an ion transport membrane. The permeate side is purged using a high-pressure purge gas stream containing steam to produce the high-pressure gas stream containing oxygen and steam, which is directed to a turbine to recover power and produce an expanded, lower-pressure gas stream containing oxygen and steam.

Abstract: A process for separating a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and nitrogen to produce a purified nitrogen gas stream by removing oxygen from the feed gas stream using an ion transport membrane to produce a retentate gas stream and a permeate gas stream, wherein the feed gas stream or the retentate gas stream is purified to remove impurities either before or after the separation step to produce the purified nitrogen gas stream.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte ion transport membrane composite for separating a gaseous species from a gaseous mixture in which the composite has a dense matrix material and a porous coating. The dense membrane is comprised of a matrix material which conducts at least one type of ion, and at least one membrane constituent. The porous coating is disposed on the membrane to enhance the rate of surface reactions involving the gaseous species.

Abstract: A process for producing a pressurized oxygen stream by compressing and heating a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen, and separating the heated feed gas stream using an ion transport module into an oxygen-depleted gas stream on the retentate side and an oxygen-containing gas stream on a permeate side. The permeate side of the ion transport membrane is purged using a gas stream containing steam to produce a pressurized gas stream containing oxygen and steam, and the gas stream is separated into the pressurized oxygen stream saturated with water vapor and a residual water stream.

Abstract: A process for separating a feed gas stream into an oxygen-enriched gas stream which is used in a combustor and an oxygen-depleted gas stream. The feed gas stream is compressed, and oxygen is separated from the compressed feed gas stream using an ion transport module including an ion transport membrane having a retentate side and a permeate side. The permeate side of the ion transport membrane is purged with at least a portion of a combustion product gas stream obtained from the combustion in the combustor of the gas stream exiting the permeate side of the ion transport module.

Abstract: A process for producing an oxidized product in conjunction with a turbine for generating power. This process comprises contacting a compressed and heated oxygen-containing gas stream with at least one solid electrolyte oxygen selective ion transport membrane in a membrane reactor. A reactant is passed into the reactor to generate an oxidized product therefrom. Oxygen-depleted retentate stream from the reactor is added to a gas turbine combustor and expanded in a gas turbine to generate power.

Abstract: A compressed, oxygen-containing gas stream is combusted and then contacted with a solid electrolyte membrane to produce an oxygen-depleted, compressed gas stream and product oxygen. Preferably, the oxygen-depleted gas stream is further combusted, used to produce steam, and/or used to preheat the oxygen-containing gas stream prior to expansion in a gas turbine.

Abstract: A process for removing oxygen from a feed gas stream to produce an oxygen-depleted retentate gas stream by supplying the feed gas stream to a bulk oxygen separation system for removing oxygen to produce an oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream and a first oxygen-containing permeate effluent stream, and supplying the oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream to a separator having a primary ion transport membrane to produce a second permeate effluent stream and the oxygen-depleted retentate gas stream. A reactive purge gas is added to react with a portion of the oxygen permeating through the primary ion transport membrane and purge the permeate side of the primary ion transport membrane, and/or a recycle gas stream comprising at least a portion of one gas stream produced during the process is added to at least one other of the gas streams.

Abstract: A system and process for producing a high-purity product from a feed stream containing elemental oxygen by applying the feed stream to at least one separator including a feed zone and a permeate zone separated by a solid electrolyte membrane, and driving a portion of oxygen contained in the feed stream from the feed zone to the permeate zone via the membrane by applying to the permeate zone a reactive purge stream containing a reactive gas which combines with oxygen to establish a lower partial pressure of oxygen in that zone. Oxygen-depleted retentate is withdrawn as a high-purity product stream.

Abstract: An ion transport reactor and process for using same having at least one ion transport membrane with a retentate side and a permeate side, for extracting oxygen from a feed gas stream as it flows along the retentate side. A reactant gas stream is flowed along the permeate side of the ion transport tubes to react with the oxygen transported therethrough. Heat is transferred to a fluid stream flowing through the ion transport reactor while the temperature of the membrane is maintained within its operating range.