General Competition (July 1995)

Development of a High-Pressure Oxygen Generator Using a Solid Electrolyte Oxygen Separation (SEOS) Technology

Sponsor: Ceramatec, Inc.

• Project Performance Period: 10/1/1995 - 9/30/1998
• Total project (est.): $5,804,612.00
• Requested ATP funds: $2,000,000.00

For applications that require relatively small amounts of gaseous oxygen, the most common form of oxygen supply is from gaseous oxygen cylinders or liquid oxygen provided in dewars. Although these forms of delivery are relatively labor intensive, they provide a high-purity product (>99.5 percent oxygen purity) at an elevated pressure often required by the end user. Ceramatec proposes to develop an alternative on-site oxygen-generation technology that will provide the purity and pressure benefits of cylinders and dewars, yet avoid the transportation, handling, and administrative tasks associated with their use. In Solid Electrolyte Oxygen Separation (SEOS) technology, oxygen is separated from feed air supplied at ambient temperature and pressure and compressed using a heated, non-porous ceramic membrane that conducts oxygen ions though its crystal lattice. Electricity provides the driving force to produce oxygen at elevated pressure for the final application. The technical challenges include developing a ceramic unit that can withstand oxygen under high pressure while maintaining separation energy efficiency. In conjunction with Air Products & Chemicals Inc., Ceramatec is positioned to globally market and distribute SEOS products that are subsequently developed following completion of the ATP-sponsored R&D program.

For project information:

Rachel Goeckeritz, (801) 978-2110

ATP Project Manager

Gerald Castellucci, (301) 975-2435
gerald.castellucci@nist.gov