A High-temperature Sealing Technology for Gas Separation Devices

The development of reliable sealing is essential for high-efficiency, low emission fossil energy conversion, especially in gas separation and storage systems that require operation under hostile conditions (e.g. high temperatures, elevated pressures, and corrosive environments). The sealing must enable the hermetical joining of the ceramic membranes, used in high temperature gas separation, to the underlying support structures (e.g. metallic body) in gas separation devices. This project will develop a reliable, high temperature seal material for gas separation devices needed in a variety of advanced energy systems. Phase I will develop and demonstrate a high-temperature reliable sealing based on a novel reactive air brazing (RAB) process. The approach includes: (1) developing a novel filler material system for the high-temperature sealing; and (2) identifying the underlying technical issues that govern the process and performance of this novel RAB technology. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Reliable, high-temperature seals, in addition to their use in energy conversion/power generation systems, should have numerous applications in gas separation and purification (e.g. oxygen for medical and semiconductor use, hydrogen for chemical reactors, and as an on-board fuel), chemical reactors (e.g., for the economical upgrading of low-grade fuels), and energy conversion devices (fuel cells). The technology also should find numerous applications for strucutral components that require the joining of ceramics with metals.