IMRCFs inert membrane reactors with catalyst

Figure 9.6 Total conversion for inert membrane reactor with catalyst on the feed side (IMRCF), catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) and conventional fixed-bed reactor (FBR) with uniform and Dirac delta catalyst activity distributions as a function of the dimensionless residence time [Yeung et al., 1994]...

Two of the main types of catalytic membrane reactors are shown in Figure 4-12. The reactor in the middle is called an inert membrane reactor with catalyst pellets on the feed side (IMRCF). Here the membrane is inert and serves as a barrier to the reactants and some of the products. The reactor on the bottom is a catalytic membrane reactor (CMR). The catalyst is deposited directly on the membrane and only specific reaction products are able to exit the permeate side. For example, in the reversible reaction... 

IMRCF inert membrane reactor with a catalyst on the feed side... 

The catalyst distribution inside the PBMR is the critical parameter in enhancing MR performance. The utilisation of catalyst s active phase during the reaction in accordance with the membrane separation of desired components will affect positively. For example, to have well-mixed fluid phases no interphase mass transfer or diffusional resistance during the reaction and separation should occur (Yeung et al, 1994). In the PBMR the active catalyst pellets are distributed inside the membrane module on the feed side as in the conventional FBR. In the CMR the active catalyst particles and sites are located within the membrane. Morbidelli et al. (2001) have reported a non-uniform catalyst distribution and its optimal bed location in the PBMR or an inert membrane reactor with a catalyst on the feed side (IMRCF) and in the CMR. In the case of a non-uniform catalyst distribution, that is. 

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