US 2019/0169759 A1Published application

Solid oxide electrochemical gas separator inerting system

AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation

InventorsDavid E. Tew, Stephen E. Tongue, Jonathan Rheaume

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Abstract

An air inert gas generating system consists of heat exchangers, a heating element, and a plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator (SOEGS) cells. The SOEGS cells are interconnected in series to create a stack. A voltage is applied to the stack causing oxygen ions to be transported from the air flowing through the cathode through the electrolyte to the anode side of the SOEGS, resulting in oxygen-depleted gas. The oxygen-depleted gas can be used to inert the ullage of aircraft fuel tank or support the fire suppression system in the cargo hold. The oxygen-enriched gas can be used for other purposes.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An electrochemical gas separation system comprising:

an inlet configured to port incoming process air;
a plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator cells, each comprising:
a cathode configured for receiving heated process air;
an anode configured for receiving oxygen ions;
an electrolyte comprising an oxygen ion conductor, the electrolyte configured to transport oxygen ions reduced from the process air at the cathode when a bias voltage is applied from the anode to the cathode;
a plurality of interconnectors, wherein each of the interconnectors is configured to electrically link each of the plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator cells in series;
a plurality of end portions, wherein each end portion is adjacent to one of the plurality of cells;
a power source configured to apply a bias voltage across the plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator cells;
and
an outlet configured to release oxygen-depleted air.

7 more elements

A method for inerting air, the method comprising:

temperature-conditioning incoming process air;
flowing the process air through a plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator cells, each having a cathode configured for receiving the process air, an anode configured for receiving oxygen ions, and an electrolyte comprising an oxygen ion conductor, the electrolyte configured to reduce oxygen from the process air when a bias voltage is applied from the anode to the cathode;
selectively routing resulting oxygen-enriched air out of the plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator cells;
temperature-conditioning the oxygen-enriched air;
routing the oxygen-enriched air to an outlet;
selectively routing resulting oxygen-depleted air out of the plurality of solid oxide electrochemical gas separator cells;
temperature-conditioning outgoing oxygen-depleted air;
and
flowing the temperature-conditioned oxygen-depleted air to a second location.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/268,222Filed 5 Feb 2019
Priority: 15 Dec 2015
Published: 6 Jun 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

C25B 9/23
With diaphragms: comprising ion-exchange membranes in or on which electrode material is embedded
B01D 53/326
By electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00: in electrochemical cells
B64D 37/32
Arrangements in connection with fuel supply for power plant: safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions
C25B 1/02
Products: hydrogen or oxygen

Family

Application14/969,398Continuation · filed 15 Dec 2015
Application16/268,222Continuation
US 10,337,111 B2Related patent
US 2017/0167036 A1Published application
US 2019/0169759 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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