Hybrid solid electrolyte ionic conductor systems for purifying inert gases

A process for removing oxygen from a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and at least one other gas to produce an oxygen-depleted retentate gas stream, the process comprising:

• supplying the feed gas stream to a non-cryogenic bulk oxygen separation system for removing oxygen to produce an oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream and a first oxygen-containing permeate effluent stream;
• supplying the oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream to a separator including a primary ion transport module having a primary ion transport membrane with a retentate side and a permeate side, to produce a second permeate effluent stream and the oxygen-depleted retentate gas stream;
• and
• recycling a recycle gas stream comprising at least a portion of at least one gas stream produced during the process, by adding the recycle gas stream to at least one gas stream of the process.

A process for removing oxygen from a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and at least one other gas to produce an oxygen-depleted retentate gas, the process comprising:

• supplying the feed gas stream to a first polymeric membrane stage having a retentate side and a permeate side for removing oxygen to produce a first oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream and a first oxygen-containing permeate effluent stream;
• supplying the first oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream to a second polymeric membrane stage having a retentate side and a permeate side for removing oxygen to produce a second oxygen-containing permeate effluent stream and a second oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream, the second polymeric membrane stage connected in series with the first polymeric membrane stage such that the first oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream is supplied to the second polymeric membrane stage retentate side;
• supplying the second oxygen-depleted crude product gas stream to a separator including a primary ion transport module having a primary ion transport membrane with a retentate side and a permeate side, to produce a third permeate effluent stream and the oxygen-depleted retentate gas stream;
• and
• recycling a recycle gas stream comprising at least a portion of at least one gas stream produced during the process, by adding the recycle gas stream to at least one gas stream of the process.