Hydrogen and synthesis gas co-production on oxygen membranes of mixed conductor: Scale-sensitive features of the process

Abstract The tubular ceramic membrane of La0.5Sr0.5FeO3–δ was tested in a condition of simultaneous partial oxidation of methane (POM), occurring in space adjacent to the outer surface of the membrane, and water splitting (WS) accompanied by hydrogen generation taking place in the internal membrane space. It was shown that a membrane with a surface area of more than 10 cm2 could successfully operate without carrier gases. A detected effect of CO selectivity in POM on the thermal condition of the process was another result using a membrane of notable size. The heat power released/absorbed on the membrane, associated with partial oxidation of methane and water splitting, was calculated using experimental data. The absorbed heat power of the overall process was found to be sensitive to CO selectivity, especially if selectivity exceeded 80%. The combined POM and WS process with the hydrogen production rate of ∼2 mL min−1cm−2 during 300 h with stable methane conversion of about 99% and CO selectivity around 96% was successfully carried out.