METHOD FOR OXIDISING A REACTANT GAS USING A CERAMIC ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTOR

摘要

A method of oxidizing a reactant gas is disclosed. The method uses an oxygen ion conducting ceramic honeycomb structure having a first set of channels and a second set of channels extending generally parallel to one another from a first face to a second face thereof, and wherein the second set of channels are sealed at the first and the second faces. The honeycomb structure further including a third set of channels which are transverse to and intersect the second set of channels, respectively. The method includes supplying the reactant gas to the first set of channels at the first face and supplying a gas containing free molecular oxygen to the third set of channels, thereby providing oxygen molecules in the second set of channels via the third set of channels. A chemical potential difference is applied between the first set of channels and the second set of channels, wherein the chemical potential difference causes the oxygen molecules to reduce to form oxygen ions, and wherein the ions diffuse through the ceramic honeycomb from the second set of channels to the first set of channels. The oxygen ions become oxygen molecules in the first set of channels which react with the reactant gas therein to form an oxidized reactant gas.