Patent ID: 6402988
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B01J,C01B,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for producing a product gas comprising:introducing an oxygen containing gas along a cathode side of at least one oxygen transport membrane element and transporting a permeate oxygen portion through said at least one oxygen transport membrane element to an anode side thereof; mixing a first process gas and a second process gas, thereby forming a gaseous mixture and introducing said gaseous mixture to said anode sides the first process gas being capable of both an exothermic reaction with oxygen and an endothermic reaction with said second process gas; exothermically reacting said oxygen portion with said first process gas and endothermically reacting said first process gas with said second process gas at the anode side, thereby transferring heat from the exothermic reaction to the endothermic reaction with said second process gas; controlling at least one member selected from the group consisting of said exothermic reaction, said endothermic reaction, and heat transfer between said exothermic reaction and said endothermic reaction to maintain said at least one oxygen transport membrane within prescribed thermal limits; promoting said endothermic reaction with a catalyst bed disposed along at least a portion of said anode side; and increasing catalytic activity within the catalyst bed toward a middle portion and an exit end of the catalyst bed.