Joule self‐heating enabled oxygen transport and coupled methane reactions in a La _0.6 Sr _0.4

Abstract

Mixed‐conducting ceramic hollow fiber membranes are a versatile platform for oxygen separation, value‐added chemical production, and oxy‐combustion. Because oxygen permeation is thermally activated, these systems typically rely on bulky, energy‐intensive furnaces that suffer from low efficiency and large thermal inertia. Joule (resistive) heating, achieved by directly applying voltage or current to the fibers, offers a compact and efficient alternative. Yet, this self‐heating strategy has not been explored in methane‐fueled membrane reactors. Here, La _0.6 Sr _0.4 Co _0.2 Fe _0.8 O _3‐δ (LSCF) hollow fiber membranes are fabricated via a template‐assisted rotating method and used as a model system. Their oxygen permeation under Joule heating is evaluated, followed by stability testing over ~75 h and 20 thermal cycles. A methane‐fueled membrane reactor is then examined, focusing on the influence of applied voltage (temperature) and methane concentration on conversion and selectivity. Long‐term reactor stability (~75 h) and the mechanisms governing oxygen transport and performance are also analyzed.