Design and Validation of an Experimental Setup for Evaluation of Gas Permeation in Ceramic Membranes

Abstract

An experimental setup for the evaluation of permeation of gaseous species with the possibility of simultaneously collecting electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data in disk-shaped ceramic membranes was designed and assembled. It consists of an alumina sample holder with thermocouple tips and platinum electrodes located close to both sides of the sample. Water-cooled inlet and outlet gas connections allowed for the insertion of the sample chamber into a programmable split tubular furnace. Gas permeation through a ceramic membrane can be monitored with mass flow controllers, a mass spectrometer, and an electrochemical impedance analyzer. For testing and data validation, ceramic composite membranes were prepared with the infiltration of molten eutectic compositions of alkali salts (lithium, sodium, and potassium carbonates) into porous gadolinia-doped ceria. Values of the alkali salt melting points and the permeation rates of carbon dioxide, in agreement with reported data, were successfully collected.

Properties of ZrO2:3 mol % Y2O3–(Na,K)2CO3–(Li,Na,K)2CO3 Triple-Layer Membranes for Carbon Dioxide Ion Permeation

“…Considering the active area of the membrane, the permeation flux of the membrane was estimated to be 0.5 mL min –1 cm –2 . Normalizing by the partial pressure of CO 2 on each side, the permeance of the membrane at 700 °C was estimated to be 8.0 × 10 –8 mol m –2 s –1 Pa –1 , in agreement with previous results with a gadolinium-doped ceria/lithium–sodium carbonate …”

“…This entire setup is positioned within a programmable furnace. All gases are provided through mass flow controllers (MKS Instruments, Inc., Methuen, MA, USA) and the flow evaluated with a mass spectrometer (Thermostar, Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH, Asslar, Germany) …”

“…Permeation measurements were conducted using an experimental setup developed and assembled in our laboratories. 27 The setup comprises an alumina sample holder placed within a three-atmosphere chamber, with carbon dioxide and argon introduced on each side and a third gas, either argon or nitrogen, used to sweep out any eventual leakage. This entire setup is positioned within a programmable furnace.…”

“…Normalizing by the partial pressure of CO 2 on each side, the permeance of the membrane at 700 °C was estimated to be 8.0 × 10 −8 mol m −2 s −1 Pa −1 , in agreement with previous results with a gadolinium-doped ceria/lithium− sodium carbonate. 27…”

Optimization of safe doping level for enhanced CO2 flux in composite membrane

“…This means that all recent advances, including green energy technologies, are deficient for meeting the goal of net zero-carbon emission without the help of carbon capture and recycling technologies. [3][4][5][6][7][8] In fact, carbon is being continuously released in various natural processes and is not categorized as a pollutant class up to the scale of the earth's natural capacity to neutralize its impact. In imitation of this auto-neutralization by nature, some carbon dioxide recycling industries are being developed in parallel to incorporate its benefits in carbonated beverages, fire extinction, refrigerants, inert blankets for food items, decaffeination of coffee, and the production of urea, calcium carbonate, etc.…”