Improved Precursors for Oxygen-Selective Membranes in Practical Devices for Methane Conversion--CeraMem Corporation, 12 Clematis Avenue, Waltham, MA 02453; 781-899-4495
Dr. Richard Higgins, Principal Investigator
Dr. Robert L. Goldsmith, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82761
Amount: $750,000

Liquid transportation fuels derived from natural gas have great potential to supplement or replace fuels derived from imported crude oil. Converting natural gas to these fuels is not currently cost-effective, but recent laboratory developments involving use of oxygen-permeating ceramic membrane reactors clearly show feasibility to convert natural gas economically. However, improved materials and device fabrication methods are required to scale up such reactors. This project will demonstrate a cost-effective method of synthesizing improved precursors for the oxygen-permeating materials used in state-of-the-art ceramic membrane reactors for natural gas conversion. In Phase I, the feasibility of the synthesis of the precursor was demonstrated; the predominant focus was on the control of chemical composition. Preliminary work was completed in the area of membrane fabrication. In Phase II, the precursor synthesis method will be comprehensively investigated to obtain particulate precursors with optimal physical and chemical properties. Composite oxygen-permeating membranes will be fabricated using them, and their performance properties will be demonstrated. Alternative membrane fabrication methods also will be investigated.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The availability of these materials would facilitate the fabrication and scale-up of ceramic membrane reactors for natural gas conversion. Other applications include the partial oxidation of low-value hydrocarbons to high-value products, oxidative gas clean-up processes, and high-temperature oxygen separation.