Ion Transport Membranes: Gas Separation Technology for the 21st Century

Air Products is leading a team to develop a novel class of air separation technologies - Ion Transport Membranes (ITM) - based on dense ceramic membranes that selectively transport oxygen ions when operated at high temperature.  The membranes offer the potential for significant cost reductions for certain applications when compared to current technologies.  Two different technologies using ITM membranes are under development, targeting different markets.  The first technology, ITM Oxygen, using mixed oxygen ion and electronic conducting membranes, is suited for large scale oxygen production.  ITM Oxygen integrates well with advanced power generation processes, as well as traditional energy intensive industrial processes requiring oxygen. The team has successfully demonstrated expected performance of commercial-scale membrane modules in a prototype facility that produces up to 5 tons-per-day (TPD) of oxygen.    Construction of a pilot demonstration unit is now under way.  This Intermediate Scale Test Unit (ISTU) is designed to produce up to 100 TPD of oxygen integrated with turbo-machinery and co-production of electric power.  The second technology under development, ITM Syngas, using a different type of mixed oxygen ion and electronic conducting membranes, combines air separation and high-temperature synthesis gas generation processes into a single unit operation.  ITM Syngas is targeted at the hydrogen production and gas-to-liquids markets.  ITM Syngas is currently being demonstrated in a 20,000 scfd pilot unit. 

Both programs have been developed in an interdisciplinary environment, marrying traditional chemical engineering with ceramic engineering, solid state electrochemistry, mechanical engineering and materials chemistry to foster the development of these new unit operations.  This presentation will review the development history of ITM membranes, the current state of the art and the path forward towards commercialization.

Acknowledgement: This technology development has been supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-FC26-97FT96052 and Contract No. DE-FC26-98FT40343. The U.S. Government reserves for itself and others acting on its behalf a royalty-free, nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license for Governmental purposes to publish, distribute, translate, duplicate, exhibit and perform this copyrighted paper.

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