A Reliable Hgih-temeprature Sealing Technology for Gas Separation Devices

The gas separation devices used in a variety of advanced energy systems require the development of reliable, high-temperature seals to enable the ceramic membranes to be joined to the underlying support structures. This project will develop a reliable, high-temperature sealing technology by focusing on two aspects: (1) the development of novel composite brazing materials that will address the reliability issues during sealing and operation, and (2) the exploration of a new sealing procedure that will greatly improve process reliability, repeatability, and yield rate. Phase I will demonstrate feasibility by designing and preparing materials; characterizing the brazing process; and prototyping, testing, and numerical modeling. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee The new sealing technology should be of value to fossil energy applications that require operation under hostile conditions. In addition to its use in energy systems, the sealing technology should have applications in gas separation and purification (e.g., oxygen for medical and semiconductor use, and hydrogen for chemical reactors), in chemical reactors (e.g., for the economical upgrading of low-grade fuels), and for the integration of ceramic materials into structural components and systems