Patent ID: 6514314
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: B01D,B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of separating oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream comprising:introducing said feed stream to a cathode side of a ceramic membrane element having a ceramic membrane structure comprising a dense layer and at least one active porous layer, the dense layer containing at least a mixed conducting material and the at least one active porous layer formed of a mixture having an ion conducting phase capable of predominantly conducting oxygen ions and a mixed conducting phase capable of conducting both said oxygen ions and electrons, the ion conducting phase being present within the mixture in an amount greater than a percolation threshold and the mixed conducting material and phase having a greater electronic conductivity than ionic conductivity; during the introduction of said feed stream to said cathode side of said ceramic membrane, maintaining said membrane at a temperature of at least about 600Â° C. and maintaining a pressure difference across said membrane from said cathode side to an opposite anode side thereof.