Oxygen separation module and apparatus

Abstract

A module and an apparatus incorporating such module utilizing a plurality of tubular membrane elements, each configured to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream when an electric potential difference is applied to induce oxygen ion transport in an electrolyte thereof. The tubular membrane elements can be arranged in a bundle that is held in place by end insulating members. The insulating members can be positioned within opposed openings of end walls of a heated enclosure and can incorporate bores to allow an oxygen containing feed stream to flow past exposed ends of the tubular membrane elements for cooling the end seals of such elements. Further, first and second manifolds can be provided in a module in accordance with the present invention to collect separated oxygen from two separate portions of the tubular membrane elements.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An oxygen separator module for an electrically driven oxygen separator apparatus, said oxygen separator module comprising:
 a plurality of tubular membrane elements pneumatically coupled together, each of the tubular membrane elements having an anode layer, a cathode layer, an electrolyte layer located between the anode layer and the cathode layer and each of the tubular membrane elements configured to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream when an electric potential difference is applied between the anode layer and the cathode layer to induce oxygen ion transport in the electrolyte;   a plurality of end seals located at opposite ends of the plurality of tubular membrane elements;   end insulation members located proximate the end seals wherein the plurality of tubular membrane elements are arranged in a bundle and held in place by the end insulation members;   a plurality of hollow tubes penetrating one or more of the end seals at opposite ends of the plurality of tubular membrane elements, the hollow tubes configured to permit flow of oxygen from the interior of the tubular membrane elements;   the at least one oxygen separation module further having one or more openings or inlets located within the end insulation members to allow passage of the oxygen containing feed stream through the end insulation members and across exterior surfaces of the plurality of tubular membrane elements between the end insulation members; and   at least one manifold configured to collect the oxygen from the plurality of tubular membrane elements, the at least one manifold connected to the plurality of tubular membrane elements such that oxygen is received by the at least one manifold from some or all of the plurality of tubular membrane elements via one or more of the plurality of hollow tubes.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The module of  claim 16 , wherein the end seals further comprise:
 plug-like members located within the tubular membrane elements and formed by an elastomer to produce hermetic seals at the opposite ends of the plurality of tubular membrane elements; and   deposits of a ceramic adhesive located within the plurality of tubular membrane elements adjacent to the plug-like members and positioned to prevent outward movement of the plug-like members.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The module of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of tubular membrane elements has an inner anode layer, an outer cathode layer, an electrolyte layer located between the anode layer and the cathode layer to form the electrolyte and two current collector layers located adjacent to and in contact with the anode layer and the cathode layer and situated on the inside and outside of the tubular membrane elements to allow the electrical potential to be applied by a power source. 
     
     
         22 . The module of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of tubular membrane elements are electrically connected in series and the tubular membrane elements contain current distributors of helical configuration in contact with one of the two current collector layers on the inside of the tubular membrane elements to conduct an electrical current from electrical conductors passing through the end seals via feed throughs. 
     
     
         23 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A plurality of oxygen separator modules as set forth in  claim 16  wherein each oxygen separator module further comprises at least one check valve disposed between the at least one manifold and the plurality of tubular membrane elements or between the at least one manifold and a tank, the check valves configured to pneumatically isolate the oxygen separator module from one another upon failure of one of the oxygen separator modules or to pneumatically isolate one or more tubular membrane elements in each oxygen separator module upon failure of one or more tubular membrane elements. 
     
     
         30 . The module of  claim 16  wherein the at least one manifold further comprises a first manifold and a second manifold spaced apart from one another with the tubular membrane elements situated therebetween and configured to receive oxygen from the tubular membrane elements such that oxygen is received by the first manifold from a first group or portion of the tubular membrane elements and oxygen is received by the second manifold from a second group or portion of the tubular membrane elements wherein, upon failure of at least one of the tubular membrane elements in either the first group or portion or the second group or portion of the tubular membrane elements, oxygen is able to be collected from either the first group or portion or the second group or portion of the tubular membrane elements that do not include the at least one of the tubular membrane elements that has failed.