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: An electrochemical process for extracting oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas which uses an electrochemical cell having two zones separated by a multi-component membrane made from intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture of an electronically conductive phase and an oxygen ion-conducting phase. In one zone a gas containing oxygen is passed in contact with the membrane. In the other zone a gas capable of reacting with oxygen is passed in contact with the membrane.

Abstract: An article for the separation, storage and delivery of substantially pure oxygen, comprises a closed walled, hollow container wherein at least a portion of at least one wall of the container is an oxygen separation material, providing a sole means for transporting substantially all oxygen into the container. An apparatus for the delivery of oxygen comprises means for transferring oxygen from a fluid containing oxygen to at least one such container at elevated temperature and pressure. The apparatus can provide means for transporting said the substantially pure oxygen-bearing container, means for storing said the container, and means for extracting oxygen from the container. A process includes filling the article with substantially pure oxygen, and, storing the substantially pure oxygen within the container for a selected period of time. The process may include releasing the oxygen from the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel solid state mixed conductor membranes and their use for separating oxygen from oxygen-containing feeds at elevated temperatures. The membranes comprise a multicomponent metallic oxide of substantially cubic perovskite structure, stable in air over the temperature range of 25.degree.-950.degree. C., having no connected through porosity wherein the membrane is of a composition represented by the formula ?A.sub.1-x A'.sub.x !?Co.sub.1-y-z B.sub.y B'.sub.z !O.sub.3-.delta., where A.tbd.Ca, Sr, Ba, and mixtures thereof; A'.tbd.La, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Th, U, and mixtures thereof; B.tbd.Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Ti, and mixtures thereof; B'.tbd.Cu, Ni, and mixtures thereof; .about.0.0001.ltoreq.x.ltoreq..about.0.1; .about.0.002.ltoreq.y<0.05; .about.0.0005.ltoreq.z.ltoreq..about.0.3; .delta. is determined by the valence of the metals.

Abstract: An article for the separation, storage and delivery of substantially pure oxygen, comprises a closed walled, hollow container wherein at least a portion of at least one wall of the container is an oxygen separation material, providing a sole means for transporting substantially all oxygen into the container.An apparatus for the delivery of oxygen comprises means for transferring oxygen from a fluid containing oxygen to at least one such container at elevated temperature and pressure. The apparatus can provide means for transporting said the substantially pure oxygen-bearing container, means for storing said the container, and means for extracting oxygen from the container.A process includes filling the article with substantially pure oxygen, and, storing the substantially pure oxygen within the container for a selected period of time. The process may include releasing the oxygen from the container.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for producing unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds from unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds and for extracting oxygen from a gas containing N.sub.2 O, NO, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, or SO.sub.3 is described. The process is characterized by the use of mixed metal oxide materials having a perovskite structure represented by the formula:A.sub.s A'.sub.t B.sub.u B'.sub.v B".sub.w O.sub.xwherein A represents a lanthanide or Y, or a mixture thereof; A' represents an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof; B represents Fe; B' represents Cr or Ti, or a mixture thereof; and B" represents Mn, Co, V, Ni, or Cu, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel membranes, formed from perovskitic or multi-phase structures, with a chemically active coating which demonstrate exceptionally high rates of fluid flux. One application is the separation of oxygen from oxygen-containing feeds at elevated temperatures. The membranes are conductors of oxygen ions and electrons, and are substantially stable in air over the temperature range of 25.degree. C. to the operating temperature of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the partial oxidation of C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, using novel membranes formed from perovskitic or multi-phase structures, with a chemically active coating which demonstrate exceptionally high rates of fluid flux. The process uses membranes that are conductors of oxygen ions and electrons, which are substantially stable in air over the temperature range of 25.degree. C. to the operating temperature of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel solid state mixed conductor membranes and their use for separating oxygen from oxygen-containing feeds at elevated temperatures. The membranes comprise a multicomponent metallic oxide of substantially cubic perovskite structure, stable in air over the temperature range of 25.degree.-950.degree. C., having no connected through porosity wherein the membrane is of a composition represented by the formula ?A.sub.1-x A'.sub.x !?Co.sub.1-y-z B.sub.y B'.sub.z !O.sub.3-.delta., where A.ident.Ca, Sr, Ba, and mixtures thereof; A'.ident.La, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Th, U, and mixtures thereof; B.ident.Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Ti, and mixtures thereof; B'.ident.Cu, Ni, and mixtures thereof; .about.0.0001.ltoreq..times..ltoreq..about.0.1; .about.0.002.ltoreq.y<0.05; .about.0.0005.ltoreq.z.ltoreq..about.0.3; .delta. is determined by the valence of the metals.

Abstract: Solid membranes comprising an intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture of an electronically-conductive material and an oxygen ion-conductive material and/or a mixed metal oxide of a perovskite structure are described. Electrochemical reactor components, such as reactor cells, and electrochemical reactors are also described for transporting oxygen from any oxygen-containing gas to any gas or mixture of gases that consume oxygen. The reactor cells generally comprise first and second zones separated by an element having a first surface capable of reducing oxygen to oxygen ions, a second surface capable of reacting oxygen ions with an oxygen-consuming gas, an electron-conductive path between the first and second surfaces and an oxygen ion-conductive path between the first and second surfaces. The element may further comprise (1) a porous substrate, (2) an electron-conductive metal, metal oxide or mixture thereof and/or (3) a catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel solid state mixed conductor membranes and their use for separating oxygen from oxygen-containing feeds at elevated temperatures. The membranes comprise a multicomponent metallic oxide of substantially cubic perovskite structure, stable in air over the temperature range of 25.degree.-950.degree. C., having no connected through porosity wherein the membrane is of a composition represented by the formula [A.sub.1-x A'.sub.x ][Co.sub.1-y-z B.sub.y B'.sub.z ]O.sub.3-.delta., where A.tbd.Ca, Sr, Ba, and mixtures thereof; A'.tbd.La, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Th, U, and mixtures thereof; B.tbd.Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Ti, and mixtures thereof; B'.tbd.Cu, Ni, and mixtures thereof; .about.0.0001.ltoreq.x.ltoreq..about.0.1; .about.0.002.ltoreq.y<0.05; .about.0.0005.ltoreq.z.ltoreq..about.0.3; .delta. is determined by the valence of the metals.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for producing unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds from unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds and for extracting oxygen from a gas containing N.sub.2 O, NO, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, or SO.sub.3 is described. The process is characterized by the use of mixed metal oxide materials having a perovskite structure represented by the formula:A.sub.s A'.sub.t B.sub.u B'.sub.v B".sub.w O.sub.xwherein A represents a lanthanide or Y, or a mixture thereof; A' represents an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof; B represents Fe; B' represents Cr or Ti, or a mixture thereof; and B" represents Mn, Co, Vi, Ni or Cu, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The electrical performance of an electrochemical apparatus such as a fuel cell and the durability of the fuel cell elements can be significantly enhanced and extended by the addition of an element between at least one electrode (the oxygen electrode and/or the fuel electrode) and the electrolyte. Performance can be additionally enhanced by the design of at least one electrode to alter its flow characteristics. An integrated separator element can additionally function as at least one electrode of the fuel cell. The electrochemical apparatus is tolerant of the utilization of sulfur bearing fuels.

Abstract: The electrical performance of an electrochemical apparatus such as a fuel cell and the durability of the fuel cell elements can be significantly enhanced and extended by the addition of an element between at least one electrode (the oxygen electrode and/or the fuel electrode) and the electrolyte. Performance can be additionally enhanced by the design of at least one electrode to alter its flow characteristics. An integrated separator element can additionally function as at least one electrode of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Solid membranes comprising an intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture of an electronically-conductive material and an oxygen ion-conductive material and/or a mixed metal oxide of a perovskite structure are described. Electrochemical reactor components, such as reactor cells, and electrochemical reactors are also described for transporting oxygen from any oxygen-containing gas to any gas or mixture of gases that consume oxygen. The reactor cells generally comprise first and second zones separated by an element having a first surface capable of reducing oxygen to oxygen ions, a second surface capable of reacting oxygen ions with an oxygen-consuming gas, an electron-conductive path between the first and second surfaces and an oxygen ion-conductive path between the first and second surfaces. The element may further comprise (1) a porous substrate, (2) an electron-conductive metal, metal oxide or mixture thereof and/or (3) a catalyst.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic process is described for producing unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds from saturated hydrocarbon compounds. The process is conducted in an electrogenerative cell and generally comprises the steps of(A) providing a fuel cell comprising a solid electrolyte having a first surface coated with conductive metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof capable of catalyzing the reduction of oxygen to oxygen ions, and a second surface coated with metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof, the two conductive coatings being connected by an external circuit,(B) passing an oxygen-containing gas in contact with the first conductive coating while,(C) passing the saturated hydrocarbon compound-containing feed gas in contact with the second conductive coating, and(D) recovering unsaturated hydrocarbons.In a preferred embodiment, the conductive metal coating on the first and second surfaces comprises a silver-containing metal composition.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic process is described for producing higher molecular weight hydrocarbons from lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. The process is conducted in an electrogenerative cell and generally comprises the steps of(A) providing a fuel cell comprising a solid electrolyte having a first surface coated with conductive metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof capable of catalyzing the reduction of oxygen to oxygen ions, and a second surface coated with metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof, provided that when both coatings are silver coatings, or the first coating is silver and the second coating is a silver/bismuth coating, the second coating also contains at least one other metal, the two conductive coatings being connected by an external circuit,(B) passing an oxygen-containing gas in contact with the first conductive coating while,(C) passing a low molecular weight hydrocarbon-containing feed gas in contact with the second conductive coating, and(D) recovering higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic process is described for producing synthesis gas from light hydrocarbons such as methane or natural gas. The process generally comprises the steps of(A) providing an electrochemical cell comprising a solid electrolyte having a first surface coated with conductive metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof capable of facilitating the reduction of oxygen to oxygen ions, and a second surface coated with conductive metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof, provided that both coatings are stable at the operating temperatures,(B) heating the cell to a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C.,(C) passing an oxygen-containing gas in contact with the first conductive coating,(D) passing methane, natural gas or other light hydrocarbons in contact with the second conductive coating, and(E) recovering synthesis gas.