Membrane Systems Containing An Oxygen Transport Membrane And Catalyst, And Methods Of Using The Same

Abstract

An apparatus for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and facilitating a chemical reaction with the separated oxygen includes a mixed conducting membrane, a porous body, and a material for catalyzing the reaction. The mixed conducting membrane has respective oxidation and reduction surfaces and is made of a non-porous, gas-impermeable, solid material capable of simultaneously conducting oxygen ions and electrons. At least the membrane and the catalyzing material are non-reactive with each other or are physically separated from each other during oxygen separation and the chemical reaction. The apparatus can be embodied by tubes, and a plurality of such tubes can form part of a reaction vessel in which various chemical reactions can occur benefiting from the apparatus design.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and facilitating chemical reaction with the separated oxygen, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a mixed conducting membrane having opposed oxidation and reduction surfaces, the membrane comprising a non-porous, gas-impermeable, solid material or mixture of solid materials capable of simultaneously conducting oxygen ions and electrons; and,    (b) a porous body comprising a material for catalyzing the reaction, the body disposed adjacent to the reduction surface,    wherein the membrane material and catalyzing material are different from each other and are non-reactive with respect to each other at conditions experienced during the oxygen separation and the chemical reaction.    
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising one or more spacers disposed between the reduction surface and the porous body, wherein the spacers are non-reactive with the membrane material and the porous body.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the catalyzing material and the membrane are contiguous.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and facilitating a chemical reaction with the separated oxygen, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a mixed conducting membrane having opposed oxidation and reduction surfaces, the membrane comprising a non-porous, gas-impermeable, solid material or mixture of materials capable of simultaneously conducting oxygen ions and electrons, and,    (b) a porous body comprising a material for catalyzing the reaction, the body disposed adjacent to the reduction surface,    wherein the membrane material and catalyzing material are different from each other and are not in physical contact with each other.    
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the catalyzing material and the porous body, are contiguous.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the catalyzing material and the membrane are contiguous.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 27  further comprising one or more spacers disposed between the reduction surface and the porous body, wherein the spacers are non-reactive with the membrane material and the porous body.  
   
   
       31 . An apparatus for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and facilitating a chemical reaction with the separated oxygen, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a mixed conducting membrane having opposed oxidation and reduction surfaces, the membrane comprising a non-porous, gas-impermeable, solid material or mixture of materials capable of simultaneously conducting oxygen ions and electrons;    (b) a material for catalyzing the reaction; and,    (c) a porous body disposed between the reduction surface and the catalyzing material,    wherein the membrane, the catalyzing material, and the porous body are constructed of different substances.    
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the catalyzing material and porous body are contiguous.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane and porous body  143  contiguous.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the catalyzing material and the porous body are not in physical contact with each other.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 31  further comprising one or more spacers disposed between the porous body and the catalyzing material, wherein the spacers are non-reactive with the catalyzing material and the porous body.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and facilitating a chemical reaction with the separated oxygen, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a multilayered, mixed conducting membrane comprising a non-porous layer and a porous layer, the membrane comprising a non-porous, gas-impermeable, solid material or mixture of materials capable of simultaneously conducting oxygen ions and electrons; and,    (b) a material for catalyzing the reaction, the catalyzing material disposed within pores of the porous layer.    wherein the catalyzing material is non-reactive with the membrane material at conditions experienced during the oxygen separation and the chemical reaction.    
   
   
       37 . An apparatus for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and facilitating a chemical reaction with the separated oxygen, the apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a mixed conducting membrane having respective oxidation and reduction surfaces, the membrane comprising a non-porous, gas-impermeable, solid material capable of simultaneously conducting oxygen ions and electrons;    (b) a porous body; and    (c) a material for catalyzing the reaction.    wherein at least the membrane and the catalyzing material are non-reactive with each other or are physically separated from each other during oxygen separation and the chemical reaction.