Ceramic Oxygen Generators with Thin-Film Zirconia Electrolytes

Ceramic oxygen generators (COGs) based on stabilized zirconia electrolytes are being developed for oxygen generation from air and other gases, e.g., carbon dioxide. In zirconia‐based COG cells, it is desirable to use thin‐film electrolytes to minimize ohmic resistance losses, thus permitting reduced operating temperatures (600°–800°C vs 900°–1000°C). The tape calendering process developed by Honeywell is a simple, cost‐effective process for fabrication of thin‐film electrolytes supported on a substrate electrode. In combination with optimized electrodes, thin‐film electrolytes allow significantly high performance in COG cells. Performance characteristics of COG cells and stacks made by tape calendering for oxygen generation from air and CO2 are discussed.