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 solid electrolyte ion transport membrane comprising a matrix material which conducts at least one type of ion such as oxygen ions, and at least one constituent which is physically distinct from the matrix material and which enhances the mechanical properties, the catalytic properties and/or the sintering behavior of the matrix material. The constituent is present in a manner which precludes continuous electronic conductivity through the constituent across the membrane.

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 oxygen-enriching a first feed gas stream be fed into a furnace by utilizing an oxygen-enriched gas stream from a second feed gas stream, wherein the first feed gas stream is compressed and then heated prior to injection into the furnace. The second feed gas stream is separated using an ion transport module containing an ion transport membrane having a retentate side and a permeate side to produce an oxygen-depleted gas stream on the retentate side and the pure oxygen gas stream or the oxygen-enriched gas stream on the permeate side. The pure oxygen gas stream or the oxygen-enriched gas stream is added to the first feed gas stream at any location before the first feed gas stream enters the furnace.

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 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 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 air separation system and method for producing a plurality of oxygen product streams at varying pressures and purities. The system combines a VPSA oxygen generator with a multi-stage cascade membrane unit to provide a high pressure, low purity product stream and a low pressure, 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.

Abstract: A process for producing and oxygen gas stream, an oxygen-enriched gas stream, or a reaction product stream as a permeate stream and an oxygen-depleted retentate gas stream by first separating oxygen from a feed gas stream and thereafter cooling at least the permeate stream. The production and cooling of the permeate stream occurs within a single apparatus having at least one ion transport membrane.

Abstract: A process for expanding tobacco is provided which employs carbon dioxide gas. Tobacco temperature and OV content are adjusted prior to contacting the tobacco with carbon dioxide gas. The disclosed process is suitable for impregnating and expanding tobacco having a high bulk density. In order to achieve a high bulk density, the tobacco may be compacted or compressed to achieve an increased and more uniform bulk density prior to its impregnation with carbon dioxide. The process may be carried out with a short cycle impregnation in an apparatus according to the invention. A thermodynamic path is followed during impregnation which allows a controlled amount of the carbon dioxide gas to condense on the tobacco. This liquid carbon dioxide evaporates during depressurization helping to cool the tobacco bed uniformly. After impregnation, the tobacco may be expanded immediately or kept at or below its post-vent temperature in a dry atmosphere for subsequent expansion.

Abstract: A process for removing oxygen from a feed stream to obtain an oxygen-depleted product stream by applying the feed stream to at least one separator including a feed zone and a permeate zone separated by a solid electrolyte mixed conductor membrane, and driving a first portion of entrained oxygen in the feed stream from the feed zone to the permeate zone via the mixed conductor membrane by applying at least one of a purge stream and a negative pressure to the permeate zone to establish a lower partial pressure of oxygen in that zone. Oxygen-depleted retentate is withdrawn as a product stream. Preferably, at least one additional solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane is also employed in feed series with the mixed conductor membrane.

Abstract: Membrane separation methods and systems separate gaseous mixtures into purified component gases thereof. Purified oxygen gas (60-90% purity), for example, may be derived from ambient air in an efficient manner. Systems and methods are provided by which at least three permeator stages are used while requiring less than one compressor per stage. Energy requirements are reduced and product purity as a function of energy requirements is improved.