초록 ▼

A method and system to separate oxygen from air for producing oxygen to support combustion of a fuel, thereby to produce heat in a heat consuming device. In accordance with the method and system a heated and compressed air stream is introduced into a ceramic membrane system having one or more oxygen

A method and system to separate oxygen from air for producing oxygen to support combustion of a fuel, thereby to produce heat in a heat consuming device. In accordance with the method and system a heated and compressed air stream is introduced into a ceramic membrane system having one or more oxygen-selective, ion conducting membranes to produce an oxygen permeate stream which is used to support combustion of the fuel. The compressed air stream is heated within the heat consuming device itself which can be, for instance, a furnace or a boiler, through indirect heat exchange with flue gases or by radiant heat within a radiant heat exchange zone thereof. An oxygen lean retentate stream, produced through separation of oxygen from the compressed and heated air stream, can be expanded with the performance of work to produce an expanded air stream. The work of expansion can be applied to the compression of the incoming air stream. The expanded air stream can be used to preheat the compressed and heated air stream.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of separating oxygen from air for producing oxygen to support combustion of a fuel, thereby to produce heat in a boiler, said method comprising;compressing a feed air stream to produce a compressed air stream; heating the compressed air stream to an operational temperature of a membrane

1. A method of separating oxygen from air for producing oxygen to support combustion of a fuel, thereby to produce heat in a boiler, said method comprising;compressing a feed air stream to produce a compressed air stream; heating the compressed air stream to an operational temperature of a membrane system employing at least one oxygen-selective, ion conducting membrane; the compressed air stream being heated through indirect heat exchange and at least in part within said boiler by passing said compressed air stream through air heating tubes interspersed with steam tubes within a radiant heat exchange zone of said boiler; introducing the compressed air stream, after having been heated, into the membrane systems to produce an oxygen permeate and an oxygen depleted retentate; and burning said fuel in the presence of an oxidant made up at least in part from the oxygen permeate produced within the membrane system.