Air-blown technologies and membranes

The partial oxidation routes have the advantages of eliminating the expensive heat transfer surfaces of the steam reforming proeesses, but they suffer from the necessity of an expensive oxygen plant whieh with the present technology will be based on cryogenic separation of air (Air Products, Air Liquide, Linde) [25]. The air separation units can be built at capacities of approximately 3500 tonnes 02/d and above, but the investment may amount to 40% of the S5mgas unit. 

One attempt to solve these problems has been the development of S5mgas technology based on oxygen ion selective membranes [95]. The membrane materials are non-porous and are composed by mixed metal oxides (perovskite, etc.) that conduct oxygen ions and electrons through the oxygen-deficient lattice structure. At high temperature, 700-1100 C, 

Other studies [99] [341] apply ion-selective membranes in fluid bed reactor concepts. The ITM technology may have a higher potential for air separation [71] as an alternative to the cryogenic technology. 

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