Application of a membrane reactor system to thermal decomposition of CO 2

Abstract

An yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) membrane reactor system was applied to enhance the direct thermal decomposition of COZ at high temperature. The decomposition rate of COz and the permeation rate of oxygen through the membrane were measured and their equations were established. The reaction itself and the reactions involved in the separation process were analyzed by computer simulation. It was found that the YSZ-membrane reactor system may improve the final conversion in C02 decomposition. The experimental results were in good agreement with the model predictions presented in this study.