Oxygen-Permeable Ceramic Membranes for Oxy-Fuel Gas Separation
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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 energy consumption and high costs associated with producing pure oxygen, and there is a need to revalue industrial waste streams effectively.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing oxygen-permeable ceramic membranes in a multi-step configuration, including heat exchange and pressurization, to simultaneously produce high-purity nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide streams from a fuel and oxygen-rich stream, optimizing temperature and pressure conditions to enhance permeation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If pure oxygen is used for combustion, then combustion efficiency is improved and flame temperature increases, but the cost of producing pure oxygen increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the combustion process with oxygen separation in a single integrated system. The oxygen-permeable membrane reactor allows oxygen to be separated from air during combustion, merging two previously separate processes (combustion and oxygen production) into one unified operation, thereby reducing the energy consumption associated with producing pure oxygen separately
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the combustion process itself to provide the energy needed for oxygen separation. The exothermic reaction of combustion generates the thermal energy required to drive oxygen through the permeable membrane, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external energy input for oxygen production
2Manufacturing precision
If oxygen-permeable membranes are used to separate gases, then high-purity gas streams are produced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen-permeable membrane reactor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a combustion chamber, an oxygen separation unit, and a gas purification system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate equipment and simplifies the overall process architecture while maintaining high gas purity outputs
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary element that enables selective gas transfer without requiring complex separation equipment. The membrane selectively allows oxygen to pass through while retaining other gases, providing a simple yet effective separation mechanism that reduces device complexity
3Productivity
If industrial waste streams are processed to produce valuable gases, then resource efficiency improves, but the energy consumption and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts industrial waste streams (which are typically treated as harmful or useless byproducts) into valuable gas products. By using the waste streams as fuel for combustion and simultaneously separating oxygen during the process, the system transforms waste into useful resources, improving resource efficiency while the combustion energy offsets the processing energy requirements
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
The process achieves efficient, high-purity gas production with reduced 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
a first step wherein an input stream, of fuel in the gaseous phase... and an inlet stream, rich in oxygen... are passed 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
a second step of selective diffusion of oxygen, from the stream rich in oxygen, towards the fuel stream... a third step of recovery of at least two separate outlet streams... when the oxygen-rich input stream is air... the separate output streams are: nitrogen and carbon dioxide
Data Source
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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; and - a third step of recovery of at least two separate outlet streams of at least two gases selected from oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen