About us

Trans Ionics Corporation is a twenty-five year old company based in The Woodlands, TX that was founded on the belief that ionic materials could hold the key to sustainable energy for the oil, gas, chemical and healthcare industries. Over the years, Trans Ionics has developed and patented novel processes involving ion transport membranes as well as energy efficient processes to separate organic compounds found in the petroleum and chemical industries by molecular type as shown in the sections below.

Sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries are rechargeable systems utilizing molten sodium as the anode, molten sulfur as the cathode, and a solid beta-alumina ceramic electrolyte for ionic conduction. Known for their high energy density, long cycle life, and cost-effectiveness due to abundant materials, they are well-suited for grid-scale energy storage, especially for long-duration applications. Operating at 300–350°C, these batteries were initially developed for electric vehicles but transitioned to large-scale energy storage due to safety concerns. With about 200 installations worldwide totaling 5 GWh of energy capacity, the largest system is a 50 MW/300 MWh facility in Buzen, Japan, manufactured primarily by NGK Insulators. Despite less deployment compared to lithium-ion batteries, Na-S batteries remain vital for specific long-duration energy storage needs.

Trans Ionics has explored the use of oxygen ion transport membranes (OTMs) for various applications, including medical oxygen production and energy-efficient oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene, replacing traditional steam cracking. OTMs, made from ceramic materials like fluorites and perovskites, selectively separate oxygen from air at high temperatures (700–1000°C), offering over 99.5% pure oxygen. They operate by transporting oxygen ions across the membrane under a chemical potential gradient. These membranes, more compact and energy-efficient than traditional methods, are suitable for decentralized applications. Additionally, OTMs can enhance ethylene production efficiency and selectivity.