An apparatus for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas and
facilitating a chemical reaction with the separated oxygen includes a
mixed conducting membrane, a porous body, and a material for catalyzing
the reaction. The mixed conducting membrane has respective oxidation and
reduction surfaces and is made of a non-porous, gas-impermeable, solid
material capable of simultaneously conducting oxygen ions and electrons.
At least the membrane and the catalyzing material are non-reactive with
each other or are physically separated from each other during oxygen
separation and the chemical reaction. The apparatus can be embodied by
tubes, and a plurality of such tubes can form part of a reaction vessel
in which various chemical reactions can occur benefiting from the
apparatus design.