Series planar design for solid electrolyte oxygen pump

An electrochemical solid-state device for transporting ions through an electrolyte comprising:

• a plurality of planar electrolytic cells connected in series by an electrically conductive interconnect layer and a sealing means to form a gas-tight seal therebetween, each electrolytic cell comprising an ion conducting electrolyte layer, a first electrode layer situated contiguous to a first surface of the electrolyte layer and a second electrode layer situated contiguous to a second surface of the electrolyte layer;
• a first surface of the interconnect layer comprising at least one gas passage for receiving a feedstream containing a component capable of being transported ionically through the electrolyte, which first surface of the interconnect layer is connected to the second electrode layer of a first planar electrolytic cell and a second surface of the interconnect layer which is connected to the first electrode layer of a second planar electrolytic cell, the second surface of the interconnect layer comprising at least one gas passage for withdrawing the component being transferred through the electrolyte layer, wherein a means for reducing gas phase diffusion resistance is attached to the first and second surfaces of the interconnect layer of each respective electrolytic cell which project into the gas passage, the interconnect layer further providing a pathway for movement of electrons between the first electrode layer of the second planar electrolytic cell and the second electrode layer of the first planar electrolytic cell.