Catalytic Membrane Reactors for Partial Oxidation Using Perovskite Hollow Fiber Membranes and for Partial Hydrogenation Using a Catalytic Membrane Contactor

Two consecutive model reactions of the type A->B->C are studied in two kinds of catalytic membrane reactors. The partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas due to CH₄ + ½O₂ -> CO + 2H₂ was investigated in a novel type of permselective membrane reactor using perovskite hollow fibers for the selective separation of oxygen from air. Partial hydrogenations were studied in a pore-through-flow membrane reactor as a special type of a catalytic membrane contactor. The catalytically functionalized pores of the membrane provide a medium with defined contact times for the cofeed of hydrogen and an unsaturated hydrocarbon, and the attempts of the scale-up of the successful laboratory experiments to the pilot scale are reported. © 2007 American Chemical Society [accessed 2013 November 26th