Application of Chemical Looping Concept for Air Separation at High Temperatures †

A novel approach, supported by preliminary experimental and theoretical data, is proposed here for separation of oxygen from air. The approach is based on the chemical looping concept and is inherently simple and cost-effective, relying on the cyclic oxidation (i.e., combustion) and reduction of a metallic oxide as a means of separating oxygen from air. Thermodynamic calculations and preliminary experiments were carried out on oxides of Cu (CuO/Cu 2 O), Mn (Mn 2 O 3 /Mn 3 O 4 ), and Co (Co 3 O 4 /CoO) to ascertain their feasibility for the proposed air-separation method. Results confirmed the feasibility of the approach and showed that Mn and Co oxide systems and their mixtures were, in particular, quite suited for air-separation applications.