Mixed-Conducting Oxygen Permeable Ceramic Membrane and its Application in the Production of Synthesis Gas

This study detailedly investigated the effects of the preparation parameters on the performance of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2Ox (BSCF) membranes. In addition, the dominant step of the oxygen permeation through the BSCF membrane was determined. The results show that bulk diffusion dominates the oxygen permeation. According to the analysis of the dominant step, a BSCF membrane with asymmetric geometry was fabricated using the dry-pressing method. The BSCF asymmetric membrane exhibits higher oxygen flux than the dense membrane. The reaction performance of BSCF asymmetric membranes in the production of synthesis gas (the partial oxidation and CO2 reforming of CH4) was studied, in which the role of the membranes in the reactions was investigated. The results show that BSCF asymmetric membranes maintained good integrity and stability in the reactions. The oxygen flux of BSCF asymmetric membrane was further increased when the membrane was exposed to the reaction.