Description

Membrane reactors can be classified as multifunctional reactors, as different process steps (selective dosing of educts or removal of reaction products) are combined in a single unit. In a membrane reactor, chemical reaction is coupled with mass or heat transport and this requires a complete understanding of transport processes in the membrane. Typical industrial reactions like partial oxidation of hydrocarbons takes place at higher temperatures. Inorganic membranes offer the potential to be used for such reactions due to their thermal stability. However, heat and mass transport parameters of such membranes must be investigated separately and independently. This book is comprised of results obtained from the research work focused on the identification and validation of transport parameters of the membrane. In this work, tubular inorganic membranes made of Al2O3 have been investigated for the determination of transport parameters of the membrane separately or in combined mode. It is evident from the results that thermal effects and correlation between heat and mass transport must be considered while designing a membrane reactor.