Gas dissociation with a ceramic membrane was an economical and environmental attractive process for methane gas conversion into syngas (mixture of H2 and CO). For this application, the membrane materials required mixed ionic and electronic conductivities in a large range of pO2 resulting in an excellent oxygen semi-permeation of the membrane to improve methane conversion. Here, particular attention was paid to the influence of sealant materials on oxygen semi-permeation performances of membrane materials. For instance, oxygen semi-permeation measurements were performed with La0.8Sr0.2Fe0.7Ga0.3O3−δ membranes under an oxygen partial pressure gradient at temperatures from 700C to 1000C with different sealing materials (glass or gold ring sealant) between the membrane and the support. The result led to a better understanding of the effects of sealing on oxygen transport through the La0.8Sr0.2Fe0.7Ga0.3O3−δ membrane. Indeed, a gold sealing material was required for accurate measurements of oxygen semi-permeation flux.

Influence of Glass and Gold Sealants Materials on Oxygen Permeation Performances in La0.8Sr0.2Fe0.7Ga0.3O3−δ Perovskite Membranes. A.Vivet, P.M.Geffroy, V.Coudert, J.Fouletier, N.Richet, T.Chartier: Journal of Membrane Science, 2011, 366[1-2], 132-8