Reactive Oxygen Storage Ceramic With Fast Redox Phase Cycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oxygen storage and separation materials suffer from limited oxygen storage capacity, long process times, low energy efficiency, and susceptibility to wear and corrosion, restricting their universal and flexible application.

Innovation Solution

A reactive ceramic material composed of copper, manganese, and iron oxides with specific stoichiometric ratios, exhibiting phase transitions and self-porosity, allowing rapid oxygen uptake and release, and enhanced corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional oxygen storage materials are used, then oxygen storage capacity is limited, but process time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen storage capacityVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the ceramic material, specifically using a multi-component oxide system (e.g., copper-manganese-iron oxides) with controlled stoichiometric ratios. This compositional parameter change enables both high oxygen storage capacity and rapid kinetics by creating a material with optimized electronic and ionic conductivity properties, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and process time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining multiple metal oxides (copper, manganese, iron, and optionally other transition metal oxides) in specific ratios to create a composite ceramic system. This composite structure leverages the synergistic effects of different oxide components, where each contributes specific properties (oxygen mobility, storage capacity, structural stability), achieving both high capacity and fast response times simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If perovskite ceramics are used for oxygen separation, then oxygen diffusion is achieved, but the driving force approaches zero as oxygen content decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen productionVSAvoiddriving force stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a chemical potential gradient within the ceramic material itself through its composite oxide structure. Different oxide components create localized regions with different oxygen affinities and release characteristics, maintaining a sustained driving force for oxygen separation throughout the material volume, even when the overall oxygen content decreases, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and driving force stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If ceramic particles are used in fluidized bed reactors, then oxygen release is achieved, but particles agglomerate and clog the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen release rateVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs porous materials by designing the composite ceramic with an optimized pore structure and surface morphology. The porous architecture provides high surface area for oxygen release (maintaining high productivity) while the interconnected pore network and appropriate pore size distribution prevent particle sintering and agglomeration at operating temperatures, ensuring long-term system stability and preventing clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Productivity

If oxygen storage materials are operated continuously, then oxygen separation is maintained, but wear and corrosion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidmaterial durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials with multiple oxide components where certain oxides (such as iron oxides and other stable transition metal oxides) provide structural framework and corrosion resistance, while other components (like copper oxides) provide oxygen storage and release functionality. This composite approach allows continuous operation by distributing wear and corrosion resistance across the stable framework components, maintaining material durability while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 reactive ceramic achieves high oxygen storage capacity (4.0 to 6.5 wt%), short reaction times (seconds to minutes), and versatile applications in various environments, maintaining functionality through self-regeneration and minimizing agglomeration.

Implementation Method 1

A reactive ceramic material composed of copper, manganese, and iron oxides with specific stoichiometric ratios, exhibiting phase transitions and self-porosity, allowing rapid oxygen uptake and release

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transitions: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

A reactive ceramic material composed of copper, manganese, and iron oxides with specific stoichiometric ratios, exhibiting phase transitions and self-porosity, allowing rapid oxygen uptake and release

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transitions: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

The reactive ceramic achieves high oxygen storage capacity (4.0 to 6.5 wt%), short reaction times (seconds to minutes), and versatile applications in various environments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP3615179B1Material for storing and releasing oxygen
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 TASCH ALEXANDER
  • EP3615179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3615179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3615179B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a material for storing and releasing oxygen, consisting of a reactive ceramic made of copper, manganese and iron oxides, wherein, subject to the oxygen partial pressure of a surrounding atmosphere and/or an ambient temperature, the reactive ceramic has a transition region that can be passed through any number of times, said transition region being between a discharge threshold state of a three-phase crednerite/cuprite/hausmannite mixed ceramic and a charge threshold state of a two-phase spinel/tenorite mixed ceramic. A passing through of the transition region from the discharge threshold state towards the charging threshold state is associated with oxygen uptake and a passing through of the transition region from the charge threshold state towards the discharge threshold state is associated with oxygen release.