Oxygen-Permeable Ceramic Membranes for Low-Energy Oxy-Fuel Gas Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently producing high-purity gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide on a large scale, particularly in oxy-fuel combustion processes, due to high oxygen demand and energy consumption, and lack of effective methods to revalue industrial waste streams.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing oxygen-permeable ceramic membranes in a multi-step configuration to simultaneously produce high-purity nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide streams by combining membrane modules with heat exchange and turbine integration, optimizing temperature and pressure conditions to enhance gas separation and valorization of waste streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional air separation methods (cryogenic distillation, PSA) are used to produce high-purity gases, then gas purity can be achieved, but energy consumption and capital investment are excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical separation methods (cryogenic distillation, pressure swing adsorption) with a membrane-based separation system. The oxygen-permeable ceramic membranes enable selective gas separation through permeation rather than mechanical compression or distillation, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining high gas purity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using elevated temperatures (700-1000°C) to enhance oxygen permeation through the ceramic membranes. This temperature-driven permeation process replaces energy-intensive mechanical processes, achieving both high purity gas production and reduced energy consumption
2Productivity
If conventional air separation methods are used, then gas production is achieved, but capital investment and operational costs are excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical air separation systems with a membrane-based system that uses elevated temperature-driven permeation. The ceramic membrane modules provide a more cost-effective solution for producing high-purity gases, reducing both capital investment and operational costs while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ceramic membrane modules that are more cost-effective than conventional air separation equipment. The membranes provide a economical solution for gas separation, reducing capital investment and operational costs while achieving the desired gas production levels
3Power
If oxygen is used as comburent in oxy-fuel combustion, then combustion is improved and flame temperature increases, but high energy consumption and lack of waste stream revaluation methods occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the combustion process with gas separation by integrating oxygen-permeable ceramic membranes into the oxy-fuel combustion system. This combination allows simultaneous combustion efficiency improvement and waste stream revaluation, as the membranes enable recovery of valuable gases from combustion exhaust streams
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the combustion system to serve dual purposes: power generation through improved combustion and waste stream revaluation through in-situ gas separation. The oxygen-permeable membranes allow the system to recover valuable gases from the exhaust, transforming a waste stream into a valuable resource without additional external equipment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves efficient, high-purity production of multiple gases while reducing energy consumption and capital investment, effectively revaluing industrial waste streams into valuable products.
Implementation Method 1
oxygen ions diffuse from one side to the other, due to the properties of the crystalline structure, due to a chemical potential gradient of oxygen between both sides of the membrane
Implementation Method 2
an input stream, of fuel in the gaseous phase, is passed, comprising combustible substances whose oxidation gives rise to gaseous products, and an inlet stream, rich in oxygen, through at least two modules of ceramic membranes of oxygen separation, so that the two streams come into contact through the membranes and a heat exchange takes place between them
Implementation Method 3
combustible substances whose oxidation gives rise to gaseous products
Implementation Method 4
oxidation of the fuel is complete
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for separating gases which comprises:a first step in which a gas fuel stream comprising combustible substances that produce gas products when oxidised, and an oxygen-rich inlet stream are passed through at least two modules of oxygen-separating ceramic membranes, such that the two streams come into contact through the membranes and exchange heat;a second step of selective diffusion of oxygen from the oxygen-rich stream to the fuel stream, such that the outlet streams from the membrane modules are an oxygen-depleted or completely oxygen-free stream and a partially or completely oxidised stream; anda third step of recovery of at least two separate outlet streams of at least two gases selected from oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.