Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide containing product in which cathode and anode sides of an electrically driven oxygen separation device are contacted with carbon dioxide and a reducing agent, respectively. The carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide through ionization of oxygen and the reducing agent lowers the partial pressure of oxygen at the anode side to partially drive oxygen ion transport within the device through the consumption of the oxygen and to supply heat. The lowering of oxygen partial pressure reduces voltage and therefore, electrical power required to be applied to the device and the heat is supplied to heat the device to an operational temperature and to the reduction of the carbon dioxide occurring at the cathode side. The device can be used as part of an integrated apparatus in which the carbon dioxide is supplied from a waste stream of a process plant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide containing product in which cathode and anode sides of an electrically driven oxygen separation device are contacted with carbon dioxide and a reducing agent, respectively. The carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide through ionization of oxygen and the reducing agent lowers the partial pressure of oxygen at the anode side to partially drive oxygen ion transport within the device through the consumption of the oxygen and to supply heat. The lowering of oxygen partial pressure reduces voltage and therefore, electrical power required to be applied to the device and the heat is supplied to heat the device to an operational temperature and to the reduction of the carbon dioxide occurring at the cathode side. The device can be used as part of an integrated apparatus in which the carbon dioxide is supplied from a waste stream of a process plant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide containing product in which cathode and anode sides of an electrically driven oxygen separation device are contacted with carbon dioxide and a reducing agent, respectively. The carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide through ionization of oxygen and the reducing agent lowers the partial pressure of oxygen at the anode side to partially drive oxygen ion transport within the device through the consumption of the oxygen and to supply heat. The lowering of oxygen partial pressure reduces voltage and therefore, electrical power required to be applied to the device and the heat is supplied to heat the device to an operational temperature and to the reduction of the carbon dioxide occurring at the cathode side. The device can be used as part of an integrated apparatus in which the carbon dioxide is supplied from a waste stream of a process plant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide containing product in which cathode and anode sides of an electrically driven oxygen separation device are contacted with carbon dioxide and a reducing agent, respectively. The carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide through ionization of oxygen and the reducing agent lowers the partial pressure of oxygen at the anode side to partially drive oxygen ion transport within the device through the consumption of the oxygen and to supply heat. The lowering of oxygen partial pressure reduces voltage and therefore, electrical power required to be applied to the device and the heat is supplied to heat the device to an operational temperature and to the reduction of the carbon dioxide occurring at the cathode side. The device can be used as part of an integrated apparatus in which the carbon dioxide is supplied from a waste stream of a process plant.

Abstract: Purification method and apparatus for purifying a gas stream by oxygen removal. The apparatus includes primary and secondary oxygen separation zones and tubular electrically driven oxygen separation elements. There are more elements in the primary zone than the secondary zone so that low concentrations of oxygen can be obtained in a purified stream and turbulent flow conditions can also be obtained that will permit purification to very low levels. In addition, a junction is provided to connect the tubular separation elements to metallic elements such as manifolds.

Abstract: Purification method and apparatus for purifying a gas stream by oxygen removal. The apparatus includes primary and secondary oxygen separation zones and tubular electrically driven oxygen separation elements. There are more elements in the primary zone than the secondary zone so that low concentrations of oxygen can be obtained in a purified stream and turbulent flow conditions can also be obtained that will permit purification to very low levels. In addition, a junction is provided to connect the tubular separation elements to metallic elements such as manifolds.

Abstract: Purification method and apparatus for purifying a gas stream by oxygen removal. The apparatus includes primary and secondary oxygen separation zones and tubular electrically driven oxygen separation elements. There are more elements in the primary zone than the secondary zone so that low concentrations of oxygen can be obtained in a purified stream and turbulent flow conditions can also be obtained that will permit purification to very low levels. In addition, a junction is provided to connect the tubular separation elements to metallic elements such as manifolds.

Abstract: Purification method and apparatus for purifying a gas stream by oxygen removal. The apparatus includes primary and secondary oxygen separation zones and tubular electrically driven oxygen separation elements. There are more elements in the primary zone than the secondary zone so that low concentrations of oxygen can be obtained in a purified stream and turbulent flow conditions can also be obtained that will permit purification to very low levels. In addition, a junction is provided to connect the tubular separation elements to metallic elements such as manifolds.

Abstract: A composite oxygen ion transport membrane having a dense layer, a porous support layer, an optional intermediate porous layer located between the porous support layer and the dense layer and an optional surface exchange layer, overlying the dense layer. The dense layer has electronic and ionic phases. The ionic phase is composed of scandia doped, yttrium or cerium stabilized zirconia. The electronic phase is composed of a metallic oxide containing lanthanum, strontium, chromium, manganese and vanadium and optionally cerium. The porous support layer is composed of zirconia partially stabilized with yttrium, scandium, aluminum or cerium or mixtures thereof. The intermediate porous layer, if used, contains the same ionic and electronic phases as the dense layer. The surface exchange layer is formed of an electronic phase of a metallic oxide of lanthanum and strontium that also contains either manganese or iron and an ionic phase of scandia doped zirconia stabilized with yttrium or cerium.

Abstract: A method of forming a current collector layer on electrode layers of an electrochemical air separation element and a current collector. A slurry is prepared that contains electrically conductive particles having surface deposits of a metallic oxide on a metal or metal alloy conductor. The metallic oxide surface deposit constitutes a lower weight percentage of the electrically conductive particles than the metal or metal alloy. The slurry is applied to a structure that contains an electrolyte and electrode layers. The slurry can be applied by dip coating techniques. The resultant coated form is then fired to partly sinter the electrically conductive particles and thereby to obtain porous current collector layers affixed to the electrode layers. The current collector of the present invention is between about 5 microns and about 100 microns thick and preferably has a porosity of between about 10 percent and about 70 percent with pores having a pore size of between about 0.1 microns and about 20 microns.

Abstract: A current collector and method of forming the same in which a slurry is prepared that contains electrically conductive particles having surface deposits of a metallic oxide on a metal or metal alloy conductor that has a lower weight percentage of the electrically conductive particles than the metal or metal alloy. The slurry is applied to a structure that contains an electrolyte and electrode layers. The resultant coated form is then fired to partly sinter the electrically conductive particles and thereby to obtain porous current collector layers affixed to the electrode layers. The current collector of the present invention is between about 5 microns and about 100 microns thick and preferably has a porosity of between about 10 percent and about 70 percent with pores having a pore size of between about 0.1 microns and about 20 microns.

Abstract: A composite oxygen ion transport membrane having a dense layer, a porous support layer, an optional intermediate porous layer located between the porous support layer and the dense layer and an optional surface exchange layer, overlying the dense layer. The dense layer has electronic and ionic phases. The ionic phase is composed of scandia doped, yttrium or cerium stabilized zirconia. The electronic phase is composed of a metallic oxide containing lanthanum, strontium, chromium, manganese and vanadium and optionally cerium. The porous support layer is composed of zirconia partially stabilized with yttrium, scandium, aluminum or cerium or mixtures thereof. The intermediate porous layer, if used, contains the same ionic and electronic phases as the dense layer. The surface exchange layer is formed of an electronic phase of a metallic oxide of lanthanum and strontium that also contains either manganese or iron and an ionic phase of scandia doped zirconia stabilized with yttrium or cerium.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ionic conductor to improve oxygen ion conductivity that is otherwise reduced by the presence of deleterious impurities comprising silicon or silicon containing compounds. In accordance with the invention a dissolved salt of a dopant consisting of an alkaline-earth metal is applied to an oxygen ion conducting material composed of doped ceria, doped zirconia, or doped lanthanum gallate and having the impurities. The solution can also be applied with equal success to cation salts and oxides used in making the oxygen ion conducting material. The oxygen ion conducting material with the solution applied thereto is thoroughly mixed and then heated to evaporate the solvent and to decompose the alkaline-earth salt and thereby to form said ionic conductor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ionic conductor to improve oxygen ion conductivity that is otherwise reduced by the presence of deleterious impurities comprising silicon or silicon containing compounds. In accordance with the invention a dissolved salt of a dopant consisting of an alkaline-earth metal is applied to an oxygen ion conducting material composed of doped ceria, doped zirconia, or doped lanthanum gallate and having the impurities. The solution can also be applied with equal success to cation salts and oxides used in making the oxygen ion conducting material. The oxygen ion conducting material with the solution applied thereto is thoroughly mixed and then heated to evaporate the solvent and to decompose the alkaline-earth salt and thereby to form said ionic conductor.

Abstract: A gas generating system for generating a supply of oxygen or at least an oxygen rich gas, and a residual gas, the system including a first gas separation device for separating from a supply gas, a first gas being oxygen enriched gas, to leave a residual gas. The first oxygen enriched gas from the first gas separation device is communicated to a second gas separation device for further separating from the first oxygen enriched gas, oxygen gas. The second gas separation device generating a product gas which is at least highly oxygen enriched and a further residual gas, with at least one of the first and second gas separating devices including a ceramic membrane through which in use gas ions diffuse.

Abstract: An ionic conduction device comprises a stack of layers, each layer comprising an electrolyte membrane having a pair of opposed surfaces, a gas permeable electrode in contact with each opposed surface, and there being a plurality of interconnects in electrical contact with the electrodes of the layers, to provide electrical continuity through the stack, wherein there is at least one gas flow path though the layers and the interconnects of the stack.