ZAT:	Setting up permeability and selectivity testing equipment for inorganic membranes. ( ZAT webpages)

The Central Technology Division (ZAT) designs, constructs and fabricates devices and test facilities that are necessary for characterising the membranes developed. In close cooperation with the institutes involved in the project, relevant technical specifications will be compiled and constantly adapted to the new findings obtained during membrane development.

In order to examine the behaviour of the membranes developed under different operating conditions, a device is being developed, which, when completed, will permit membrane and gas temperatures of up to 1,000 °C along with pressures of up to 30 bar. This will enable both sides of the membrane to be loaded with different gas compositions and pressures. The analysis of the gas composition at the outlet side, along with the measurement of the gas flow rates, will thus allow conclusions to be drawn on the permeation and separation performance of the membrane investigated.

In the first extended version of the test facility, a recipient is used for investigating membranes under high pressure at intermediate temperatures. With 500 °C at 30 bar, this device (see picture) will fully cover the range of operation for porous membranes. In an intermediate stage, a further recipient will allow the investigation of dense (ion-conducting) membranes at temperatures of up to 1,000 °C under intermediate pressures.