Experimental and modeling study of the O2-enrichment by perovskite fibers

The production Of O-2-enriched air (OEA) c using dense mixed conducting perovskite hollow fiber membranes was studied experimentally and theoretically. The fibers were prepared by phase inversion spinning followed by sintering. A mathematical model was developed based on the mass balances for the OEA side, the O-2-depleted air side and the hollow fiber itself to simulate the O-2-enrichment. Based on the experiments and the model, the mass transport in the mixed conducting material was quantified using Wagner's theory. Furthermore, 3-D plots of broad parameter fields were calculated to estimate optimal operation conditions for a maximum O-2-enrichment. The results elucidate that a required O-2 concentration in the OEA, and the production rate can be adjusted by controlling the operation parameters, such as temperature, air pressure differences and sweep airflow rates. The long term operation (800 h) indicates that the perovskite hollow fiber membranes offer a promising potential for the industrial OEA production. (c) 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.