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Triox Technologies, Inc.

Richard R Mackerell

Gary M Renlund

Mustafa A Syammach

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods of supplying and removing oxygen. The apparatus includes an oxygen-conducting solid electrolyte. The electrolyte has an oxygen input side and an oxygen output side which are each coated with an electrically conducting metallic material. When an electrical potential is applied to the electrolyte, oxygen is caused to move from the input side to the output side. A feedback loop is provided to prevent damage to the electrolyte. Depending on the arrangement of electrolyte, the present invention may provide a source of pure oxygen, including high pressure oxygen, or an oxygen free environment.

Oxygen supply and removal method and apparatus

A solid composition provides high oxygen ion conductivity, and includes a metal oxide combined with multiple dopants. The oxide may, for example, include zirconia, bismuth trioxide, thoria or halfnia. The dopants are chosen such that they are of similar ionic radius to the oxide, but such that they generally have different valences. For example, zirconium has a +4 valence, while dopants are usually chosen which have +2 or +3 valences. Possible dopants include materials such as magnesia, yttria, and oxides of calcium, barium, strontium, lanthanum, and scandium. It has been found that choosing the dopants such that they exist in the composition at specified ratios results in surprising ability to transport oxygen ions. In the case of a composition which includes magnesia and yttria dopants placed within a zirconia matrix, it has been found desirable to maintain the ratio of the mole percentages of the magnesia to the yttria in the range of from about 6.5:10 to about 9.5:10. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for using the composition in removing oxygen and water from a mixture of gases. Such a process is valuable in the isolation and purification of both oxygen and the other gases in the mixture.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Richard R Mackerell