Polymeric inert membrane reactors

Abstract The objective of this chapter is to give an overview of the use of polymeric membranes in membrane reactors. Since the stndy of polymeric membrane reactors is a multidisciplinary activity, the chapter begins with some basic concepts of polymer science and polymer membranes. In the following, the different types of polymeric membrane reactors, classified into two main groups - polymeric inert membrane reactors (PIMRs) and polymeric catalytic membrane reactors (PCMRs), are presented and discussed. For each of these group , examples of the main reactor types are given extractors, forced-flow or contactors. Finally, there is a discussion of the modelhng aspects of membrane reactors with dense polymeric catalytic membranes reported in the literature. 

Key words catalytic/inert polymeric membranes, polymeric membranes preparation, membrane reactors, extractor-type, distributor/contactor-type, forced-flow-type, polymeric inert membrane reactors (PIMRs), polymeric catalytic membrane reactors (PCMRs), modelling. 

Polymeric inert membrane reactors (PIMRs), if the membrane provides only a separation function. 

Inert membranes are by far the most widely used in polymeric membrane reactors. Since in PIMRs the catalytic function is absent from the membrane, in comparison with PCMRs this type of membrane reactor represents a lower level in process integration. However, because of this and because the membrane modulus can be separated from the vessel where the chemical reaction takes place, PIMRs allow a much wider range of reactor configurations than PCMRs. 

Even when the inert membrane is used just for catalyst retention in ultra- or nano-filtration membrane reactors, the fine control of membrane porosity is a strong advantage of polymeric membranes when compared with inorganic ones. 

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