Modular ceramic electrochemical apparatus and method of manufacture therefor

An electrochemical device, comprising:

• a first ceramic element having a support member and an array of elongated members extending from said support member;
• a second ceramic element adjacent said first ceramic element;
• and
• a seal between said first ceramic element and said second ceramic element;
• said first ceramic element, said second ceramic element and said seal forming a pressure tight chamber therebetween;
• said elongated members being open to said chamber.

A method of generating oxygen using a ceramic oxygen generator, comprising:

• supplying electric current at a first polarity to the first electrode and electric current at a second polarity to the second electrode;
• forming oxygen within the oxygen generator from dissociated oxygen ions;
• building oxygen pressure within the oxygen generator;
• and outputting oxygen at 2000 psi or higher.

An oxygen generator, comprising:

• a first ceramic element having a support member and an array of elongated members extending from said support member;
• a second ceramic element adjacent said first ceramic element;
• and
• a seal between said first ceramic element and said second ceramic element;
• said first ceramic element, said second ceramic element and said seal forming a pressure tight chamber therebetween;
• said elongated members being open to said chamber;
• a first electrically conductive coating covering at least some of an exterior surface of said first ceramic element and being connectable to a source of electrical potential at a first polarity;
• and
• a second electrically conductive coating covering at least some of an interior surface of said first ceramic element and being connectable to a source of electrical potential at a second polarity,
• wherein said elongated members are tubes, the array including rows and columns of tubes wherein said first electrically conductive coating covers an exterior surface of each of said tubes and wherein said second electrically conductive coating covers an interior surface of each of said tubes,
• wherein said first electrically conductive coating covering each tube in a column is electrically isolated from each of the first electrically conductive coatings on adjacent tubes in columns and wherein said second electrically conductive coating covering each interior surface of tubes in a column is electrically isolated from each of the second electrically conductive coatings on adjacent interior surfaces in adjacent tubes.