Gas separation apparatus and methods using same

An apparatus for separating a first gas at least partially from a first gaseous mixture and a second gas from a second gaseous mixture, the apparatus comprising a first gas permeable layer transporting the first gaseous mixture comprising the first gas, a second gas permeable layer transporting the second gaseous mixture comprising the second gas, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator comprising an electrolyte,

• wherein:
• the first gas permeable layer is adapted and configured to allow for flow of the first gaseous mixture and the first gas permeable layer comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to one another;
• the second gas permeable layer is adapted and configured to allow for flow of the second gaseous mixture and the second gas permeable layer comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to one another;
• the first electrode comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to one another;
• the second electrode comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to one another;
• and
• wherein:
• the second surface of the gas permeable layer abuts the first surface of the first electrode;
• the first surface of the second gas permeable layer abuts the second surface of the second electrode;
• the separator is disposed between, and in physical contact with, the second surface of the first electrode and the first surface of the second electrode;
• wherein, when the first and second electrodes are capacitively charged by applying a voltage to the apparatus, the first gas is preferentially adsorbed into the first electrode from first the gaseous mixture and the second gas is preferentially adsorbed in to the second electrode from the second gaseous mixture, and
• when the first and the second electrodes are capacitively discharged, the first gas and second gas are desorbed from the apparatus and vented from the apparatus via the first gas permeable layer and second gas permeable layer respectively,
• whereby the first gas, second gas, first gaseous mixture and second gaseous mixture do not undergo any electrochemical redox process, and whereby the first gas is at least partially separated from the first gaseous mixture and the second gas is at least partially separated from the second gaseous mixture.