Enhancement of oxygen permeability by the introduction of a micro/nano surface reactive layer on the oxygen ion transport membrane

Abstract

Micro/nano surface reactive layers, La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ, are introduced on the surface of oxygen ion transport membranes to enhance the oxygen permeability of dense oxygen permeable perovskite-type ceramic membranes, La0.7Sr0.3Ga0.6Fe0.4O3-δ. An oxygen permeation flux of about 0.5 ml/minute·cm2 is measured for the micro-sized surface-modified membrane with 1.7 mm of thickness, under a He/Air environment at 950ºC. The membrane is also applied to the syngas (CO+H2) production by the partial oxidation of methane. As a result, the complete selectivity of CO, 100%, over 50% of methane conversion and over 40% of syngas yield are obtained. The results show that the oxygen permeation flux is strongly influenced by the surface area of the surface reactive layer.