Catalytic zeolite-membrane reactors

Catalytic Zeolite-Membrane Reactors for Selectivity Enhancement... 

Catalytic Zeolite-Membrane Reactors in the Line Chemicals Industry.305... 

Relatively, few examples have been found in literature about catalytic zeolite-membrane reactors, and most of them are related with the fine chemicals industry as is shown in the following sections. 

Bernardo, R, Algieri, C., Barbieri, G. and Drioli, E. (2006) Catalytic zeolite membrane reactors for the selective CO oxidation. Desalination, 200, 702-704. 

One of the main challenges for zeolite membrane reactors is that optimal reactor operation requires that the membrane flux be in balance with the reaction rate.. Whether acting in an inert or catalytic capacity, the extractive ability of the membrane needs to keep up with the production of the species being removed in order to fully participate in improving the reaction yield [44]. 

Zeolite membranes may play either a passive or an active role in catalytic (organic) conversion reactions and the potential applications of zeolite membrane reactors are quite promising. Both liquid phase and gas phase reactions may advantageously be carried out in a membrane reactor, and transport from the reaction zone is promoted by continuous removal of the permeating molecules. 

It has been considered traditional applications of zeolite-membrane reactors those based on reactor concepts already demonstrated using mesoporous or dense membranes. These include conversion enhancement by equilibrium displacement or by the removal of inhibitors, and selectivity enhancement by reactant distribution. For such cases, the zeolite membrane is usually catalytically inert and is coupled with a conventional fixed bed of catalyst placed on one of the membrane sides. 

Jeong BH, Sotowa KI, and Kusakabe K. Catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexane in an FAU-type zeolite membrane reactor. J Membr 5d2003 224 151-158. 

---