Solid membranes comprising an intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture
of an electronically-conductive material and an oxygen ion-conductive material
and/or a mixed metal oxide of a perovskite structure are described. Electrochemical
reactor components, such as reactor cells, and electrochemical reactors are also
described for transporting oxygen from any oxygen-containing gas to any gas or
mixture of gases that consume oxygen. The reactor cells generally comprise first
and second zones separated by an element having a first surface capable of reducing
oxygen to oxygen ions, a second surface capable of reacting oxygen ions with an
oxygen-consuming gas, an electron-conductive path between the first and second
surfaces and an oxygen ion-conductive path between the first and second surfaces.
The element may further comprise (1) a porous substrate, (2) an electron-conductive
metal, metal oxide or mixture thereof and/or (3) a catalyst. The reactor cell may
further comprise a catalyst in the zone which comprises a passageway from an entrance
end to an exit end of the element. Processes described which may be conducted with
the disclosed reactor cells and reactors include, for example, the partial oxidation
of methane to produce unsaturated compounds or synthesis gas, the partial oxidation
of ethanes substitution of aromatic compounds, extraction of oxygen from oxygen-containing
gases, including oxidized gases, ammoxidation of methane, etc. The extraction of
oxygen from oxidized gases may be used for flue or exhaust gas cleanup.