(127a) Ceramic and Coal: ITM Oxygen for Power Generation with Reduced CO2-Emissions, Detailed Engineering Study Results

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, an Air Products-led team is developing a new air separation technology - Ion Transport Membrane Oxygen - based on ceramic membranes that selectively transport oxygen ions when operated at high temperature.  Under the influence of an oxygen partial-pressure driving force, the electrochemical ITM Oxygen process achieves a high-purity, high-flux separation of oxygen from air.  This high temperature process lends itself to integration with advanced power generation processes that require oxygen feedstock, such as Oxy-Coal Combustion and IGCC, as well as traditional industrial applications for oxygen and distributed power.

The team has successfully demonstrated expected performance and operability of commercial-scale modules in a prototype facility that produces up to 5 tons-per-day (TPD) of oxygen.  Next phase demonstration unit is in construction, and operation is planned in 2013.  This Intermediate Scale Test Unit (ISTU) is designed to produce up to 100 TPD of oxygen integrated with turbo-machinery and co-production of power.  Data from the 100 TPD unit will provide the design basis for a much larger plant that could produce 2000 TPD.  In parallel, work has also begun to expand ceramic fabrication capacity to support these demonstrations toward commercialization.  Previous studies have reported significant capital and operating cost reductions afforded by the ITM Oxygen technology toward traditional gasification, IGCC, and other energy-intensive applications.

In this presentation, we will report the results of detailed engineering and economic study of processes toward reduced CO2 emissions from power generation cycles.  An overview and update of the ITM Oxygen development effort will also be presented, including pilot-scale testing results of commercial-scale ceramic modules, next-phase scale-up designs, and ceramic manufacturing expansion work.  A commercialization timeline will be discussed.

This abstract was written with support of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-FC26-98FT40343.  The Government reserves for itself and others acting on its behalf a royalty-free, nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license for Governmental purposes to publish, distribute, translate, duplicate, exhibit and perform this copyrighted paper.  Copyright Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.  2012.  All Rights Reserved.