Oxygen can be separated from air using a ceramic ion transport membrane, a device permeable only to oxygen. Commercial efforts to use this technology in oxygen production and other applications have so far failed due to insufficient rates of oxygen transport, or flux.
Researchers at Curtin University have developed a uniquely structured ceramic ion transport membrane for oxygen separation that shows remarkably high flux. The membrane employs a multitude of microchannels extending into the depth of the membrane, rather than the conventional structure, which limits flux.
Membranes manufactured in the laboratory from the high-performance ceramic BSCF separated oxygen from air at a rate of 11.3 mL/min.cm2 at 1000 °C, which is considerably higher than any flux rate that has previously been reported. Trials on the cheaper and more commonly used material LSCF gave a flux rate of 3.98 mL/min.cm2 at 1,050 °C.
Researchers
The academic team behind this development comprises Dr Dehua Dong, a leading ceramic researcher with three years’ experience in industrial ceramic manufacturing; Mr Xin Shao, a PhD student; John Curtin Distinguished Professor Chun-Zhu Li, Director of the Fuels and Energy Technology Institute; and Professor Gordon Parkinson, who has extensive experience in commercialising research both in university and industry.
Stage of development
Researchers have created high performance membranes at sizes appropriate for industry use.
We plan to continue development work on applications of the membrane, including:
efficient production of pure oxygen for medical or industrial use
conversion of simple feedstocks such as CO2, water and methane into syngas (CO/H2) for the production of liquid fuels
combustion of fossil fuels in a high oxygen environment, facilitating the capture of CO2
transfer of other ions, such as sodium or hydrogen for various other applications.
Rapid flux oxygen separation membrane
Curtin is ready to partner with industry to bring this technology to full commercial implementation. Curtin is seeking licensees for this technology, notably companies with interest in the manufacture of ceramic ion transport membranes. We are also interested in ongoing research collaboration in the optimisation of the membrane, and development of its applications.
Email: commercialisations@curtin.edu.au