Abstract: Planar ceramic membrane assembly comprising a dense layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material, wherein the dense layer has a first side and a second side, a porous layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material in contact with the first side of the dense layer, and a ceramic channeled support layer in contact with the second side of the dense layer.

Abstract: Planar ceramic membrane assembly comprising a dense layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material, wherein the dense layer has a first side and a second side, a porous layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material in contact with the first side of the dense layer, and a ceramic channeled support layer in contact with the second side of the dense layer.

Abstract: Planar ceramic membrane assembly comprising a dense layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material, wherein the dense layer has a first side and a second side, a porous layer of mixed-conducting multi-component metal oxide material in contact with the first side of the dense layer, and a ceramic channeled support layer in contact with the second side of the dense layer.

Abstract: This invention presents a new class of multicomponent metallic oxides which are particularly suited toward use in fabricating components used in processes for producing syngas. The non-stoichiometric, A-site rich compositions of the present invention are represented by the formula (LnxCa1−x)y FeO3−&dgr;wherein Ln is La or a mixture of lanthanides comprising La, and wherein 1.0>x>0.5, 1.1≧y>1.0 and &dgr; is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral. Solid-state membranes formed from these compositions provide a favorable balance of oxygen permeance and resistance to degradation when employed in processes for producing syngas. This invention also presents a process for making syngas which utilizes such membranes.

Abstract: Natural gas or other methane-containing feed gas is converted to a C.sub.5 -C.sub.19 hydrocarbon liquid in an integrated system comprising an oxygenative synthesis gas generator, a non-oxygenative synthesis gas generator, and a hydrocarbon synthesis process such as the Fischer-Tropsch process. The oxygenative synthesis gas generator is a mixed conducting membrane reactor system and the non-oxygenative synthesis gas generator is preferably a heat exchange reformer wherein heat is provided by hot synthesis gas product from the mixed conducting membrane reactor system. Offgas and water from the Fischer-Tropsch process can be recycled to the synthesis gas generation system individually or in combination.

Abstract: An electrochemical device for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas comprises a plurality of planar ion-conductive solid electrolyte plates and electrically-conductive gas-impermeable interconnects assembled in a multi-cell stack. Electrically-conductive anode and cathode material is applied to opposite sides of each electrolyte plate. A gas-tight anode seal is bonded between the anode side of each electrolyte plate and the anode side of the adjacent interconnect. A regulating electrode, applied to the anode side of each electrolyte plate between the anode seal and the edge of the anode, eliminates anode seal failure by maintaining the 24-hour anode seal power density below about 1.5 .mu.W/cm.sup.2. A gas-tight seal is applied between the cathode sides of each electrolyte plate and the adjacent interconnect such that the anode and cathode seals are radially offset on opposite sides of the plate.

Abstract: The present invention presents a fluid separation device capable of separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture which utilizes at least one solid-state membrane comprising a dense mixed conducting multicomponent metallic oxide layer formed from a mixed conducting multicomponent metallic oxide represented by the formulaLn.sub.x A'.sub.x A".sub.x B.sub.y B'.sub.y O.sub.3-z,wherein Ln is an element selected from the f block lanthanides, A' is selected from Group 2, A" is selected from Groups 1, 2 and 3 and the f block lanthanides, and B,B' are independently selected from the d block transition metals, excluding titanium and chromium, wherein 0.ltoreq.x<1, 0<x'.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.x"<1, 0<y<1.1, 0.ltoreq.y'<1.1,x+x'+x"=1.0, 1.1>y+y'>1.0 and z is a number which renders the compound charge neutral.

Abstract: The present invention presents a new class of multicomponent metallic oxides which are particularly suited toward use in fabricating component used in solid-state oxygen separation devices. The compositions of the present invention are represented by the formula Ln.sub.x A'.sub.x ' Co.sub.y Fe.sub.y' Cu.sub.y" O.sub.3-z wherein Ln is an element selected from the f block lanthanides as represented by the IUPAC periodic table of the elements, A' is selected from strontium or calcium, x>0, y>0, y'>0, x +x'=1, y +y'+y"=1, 0.ltoreq.y"<0.4 and z is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral. These compositions provide a favorable balance of oxygen permeance, resistance of degradation when employed in such devices under high oxygen partial pressures and possess coefficients of thermal expansion which are compatible with other materials used to fabricate such devices.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed comprising a plurality of planar electrolytic cells connected in series, each cell having an oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte layer, an anode layer and a cathode layer associated with the electrolyte layer, electrically conductive interconnect layers having gas passages situated therein for transporting gaseous streams, which interconnect layers electrically connect the anode layer of each electrolytic cell to the cathode layer of an adjacent planar cell, and sealing means positioned between the interconnect layers and the electrolytic cells to provide a gas-tight seal therebetween. The configuration of the interconnect layer and the placement of the seal means provides a separation between the seal and the conductive pathway of electrons between the anode layer and cathode layer which prevents corrosion or deterioration of the seal.

Abstract: The present invention presents a new class of multicomponent metallic oxides which are particularly suited toward use in fabricating components used in solid-state oxygen separation devices. The compositions of the present invention are represented by the formula Ln.sub.x A'.sub.x' A".sub.x" B.sub.y B'.sub.y' B".sub.y" O.sub.3-z, wherein Ln is an element selected from the f block lanthanides, A' is selected from Group 2, A" is selected from Groups 1, 2 and 3 and the f block lanthanides, and B,B',B" are independently selected from the d block transition metals, excluding titanium and chromium, wherein 0.ltoreq.x<1, 0<x'<1, 0.ltoreq.x"<1, 0<y<1.1, 0<y'<1.1, 0<y"<1.1, x+x'+x"=1.0, 1.1>y+y'+y">1.0 and z is a number which renders the compound charge neutral wherein such elements are represented according to the Periodic Table of the Elements adopted by IUPAC.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing inorganic membranes which are capable of separating oxygen from oxygen-containing gaseous mixtures. The membranes comprise a porous composite of a thin layer of a multicomponent metallic oxide which has been deposited onto a porous support wherein the pores of the multicomponent metallic oxide layer are subsequently filled or plugged with a metallic-based species. The inorganic membranes are formed by depositing a porous multicomponent metallic oxide layer onto the porous support to form a porous composite having a network of pores capable of transporting gases. The network of pores are plugged or filled by organometallic vapor infiltration to form an inorganic membrane having essentially no through porosity.

Abstract: Planar solid-state membrane modules for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture which provide improved pneumatic and structural integrity and ease of manifolding. The modules are formed from a plurality of planar membrane units, each membrane unit which comprises a channel-free porous support having connected through porosity which is in contact with a contiguous dense mixed conducting oxide layer having no connected through porosity. The dense mixed conducting oxide layer is placed in flow communication with the oxygen-containing gaseous mixture to be separated and the channel-free porous support of each membrane unit is placed in flow communication with one or more manifolds or conduits for discharging oxygen which has been separated from the oxygen-containing gaseous mixture by permeation through the dense mixed conducting oxide layer of each membrane unit and passage into the manifolds or conduits via the channel-free porous support of each membrane unit.