Enhancement of dimethyl ether production with application of hydrogen-permselective Pd-based membrane in fluidized bed reactor

A two-phase model for a novel shell and tube fluidized bed membrane reactor has been developed in order to synthesize the dimethyl ether. Due to the hydrogen partial pressure driving force, hydrogen can penetrate from feed synthesis gas, flowing in the shell side, into the reaction side through the membrane. The proposed model has been used to compare the performance of a fluidized bed membrane reactor with the conventional reactors. The effects of different parameters on the dimethyl ether production and CO conversion were investigated. The results show an increase in DME production and CO conversion by permeation of hydrogen.