Perovskite Ceramic Membrane for High-Temperature Steam Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water removal technologies are energy-intensive and inefficient for high-temperature chemical processes, as existing polymer-based membranes are limited in temperature performance and inorganic membranes are underdeveloped for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
Ceramic proton-conducting oxide membranes with a perovskite ABO3 structure, specifically Ba(CexZr1-x-nYn)O3-δ, are developed for steam separation, featuring a dense film over a porous composite substrate, which enables stable operation at high temperatures and efficient steam removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polymer-based membranes are used for water removal, then ease of manufacture and commercial availability are improved, but temperature performance and stability at high temperatures deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining inorganic perovskite ceramic materials with specific metallic compositions to create a membrane that achieves both high-temperature stability and manufacturability. The composite structure integrates the thermal stability of ceramics with the processability advantages of metal-based systems, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and temperature performance.
2Temperature
If inorganic membranes are used for water removal, then temperature performance and thermal robustness are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing development deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous inorganic perovskite ceramic materials with controlled pore structures that enable steam permeation while maintaining mechanical integrity at high temperatures. The porous architecture provides inherent steam transport pathways that simplify the overall membrane design and reduce device complexity compared to dense inorganic membranes, while preserving high-temperature performance.
3Reliability
If conventional water removal technologies are used, then reliability and proven technology status are improved, but energy consumption and process efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the phase transition properties of water/steam by designing a membrane that selectively permits steam permeation while retaining liquid water and non-condensable gases. This phase-based separation mechanism enables energy-efficient water removal by allowing steam to pass through the membrane at process temperatures without requiring additional heating or cooling steps, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable separation performance.
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
These membranes achieve a significant reduction in steam energy usage and boiler equipment costs, with a steam permeation flux of about 10 mL/min-cm2 at 800-900°C, demonstrating improved process efficiency and competitiveness in industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
Y substitution in the B site in ABO3-type perovskite generates oxygen vacancies, which are important for oxygen ion and proton conductivity in the compound
Implementation Method 2
Y substitution in the B site in ABO3-type perovskite generates oxygen vacancies, which are important for oxygen ion and proton conductivity in the compound
Implementation Method 3
a dense film of the perovskite over a porous composite substrate comprising the perovskite material and a metallic material
Data Source
AI summary
Ceramic proton-conducting oxide membranes are described herein, which are useful for separating steam from organic chemicals under process conditions. The membranes have a layered structure, with a dense film of the perovskite over a porous composite substrate comprising the perovskite material and a metallic material (e.g., Ni, Cu, or Pt). The perovskite comprises an ABO3-type structure, where “A” is Ba and “B” is a specified combination of Ce, Zr, and Y. The perovskite ceramic materials described herein have an empirical formula of Ba(CexZr1-x-nYn)O3-δ, wherein 0<x<0.8 (e.g., 0.1≤x≤0.7 or 0.2≤x≤0.5); and 0.05≤n≤0.2; and δ=n/2. In some embodiments n is about 0.2. In some other embodiments 0.6≤x≤0.8; and n is about 0.2, such as Ba(Ce0.7Zr0.1Y0.2)O3-δ, also referred to herein as BCZY712.