Theoretical analysis of conversion enhancement in isothermal polymeric catalytic membrane reactors

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Zheng, JM (Author) Other; J. M. Sousa (Author) FEUP; Mendes, D (Author) Other; Luis Madeira (Author) FEUP; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Catalysis Today

Vol. 118

Pages: 228-236

ISSN: 0920-5861

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 4 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-GH7

DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2005.12.009

Abstract (EN): A theoretical study of polymeric catalytic membrane reactors (PCMR) is performed when a reversible A <-> B reaction is taking place inside the catalytic membrane. The PCMR is assumed to be isothermal, and with a perfectly mixed flow pattern for both retentate and permeate chambers. An analytical expression is derived to calculate the reactor conversion and the reactor conversion enhancement for the case in which the membrane permeability is the same for the reactant and product. When the membrane has different permeabilities for the reactant and product, a semianalytical solution is presented. The results show that, at least theoretically, conversion above thermodynamic equilibrium can be achieved with the PCMR when the membrane has higher permeability for the product than for the reactant. It is also pointed out that, in the PCMR, the environment of the catalyst particle should be quite different from that existing in conventional reactors. This should change the properties of the catalyst particle and it must be carefully considered.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9