Air Products and Chemicals along with partners and through partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy has made substantial progress in developing a novel air separation technology. Unlike conventional cryogenic processes, this method uses high temperature ceramic membranes to produce high purity oxygen. The membranes selectively transport oxygen ions with high flux and infinite theoretical selectivity. An energy-rich non-permeate stream is produced that can be used to produce power and steam. Operation of the process at high temperature allows good integration into both advanced power generation processes as well as traditional energy intensive industrial processes which require oxygen. Good synergy with CO_2 capture applications is expected. ITM Oxygen technology has entered Phase III of a multiphase development effort. During Phases I and II, the ITM Oxygen team established the feasibility of the ceramic membrane approach and designed and built commercial-scale membrane modules. The team has successfully demonstrated expected performance of commercial-scale modules in a prototype facility that produces up to 5 tons-per-day of oxygen. In Phase III, a membrane separator will be integrated with a compressor/expander set to co-produce power and up to 150 tons-per-day (TPD) of oxygen in the 2010 timeframe. Data from the 150-TPD plant test will provide the design basis for a much larger plant that could supply up to 2500 TPD scale. This paper will present an overview and update of the ITM Oxygen development effort, including testing of commercial-scale ceramic modules, developing integration schemes with gas turbines and energy-intensive industrial processes, and process economic analyses. A commercialization timeline will be discussed.
展开▼
