Membrane reactor in liquid phase reactions

Most of the research pertained on membrane reactors is carried out on gas phase reactions i using ceramic, metal or zeolite membranes. However, the concept can be used as well for liquid phase reactions. A verj specific class of reactions are the condensation or polycondensation reaction in which water is one of the products. Water is easily be removed by pervaporation (see section Vl.4.3 ) and therefore pervaporation can be applied if the reaction temperature is not too high. As example we will use here an esterification reaction [89,90]. This reaction may be carried out in a batch reactor coupled with a pervaporation unit in which water is removed constantly (see figure VI - 76). 

The general esterification reaction is acid + alcohol = ester + water 

The ratio of the rate constants is equal to the equilibrium constant. K = 

The equilibrium constant is strongly temperature dependent (for reactions in the liquid phase pressure dependency is neglectible). The rate equation for the ester formation is 

The same rate equation holds for the formation of water 

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