Beyond state-of-the-art gas separation processes using ion-transport membranes

U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vision 21 program has identified oxygen and hydrogen separation membranes as enabling technology needs for futuristic, virtually non-polluting energy production plants. DOE's advanced gas separation technology RD&D activities focus on the new breed of membrane technologies to dramatically reduce the cost and energy required for gas separations. DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has entered into a three-phase technology RD&D partnership with Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Air Products) to revolutionize the oxygen manufacturing process using dense ceramic membranes into a new century technology. DOE-NETL is supporting Eltron Research Inc. (Eltron) and ITN Energy Systems, Inc. (ITN) to develop new, low-cost, and commercially manufacturable mixed protonic-electronic conducting membranes for separating hydrogen from synthesis gas.