A novel catalytic membrane microreactor for COx free H2 production

A novel catalytic hollow fibre membrane microreactor (CHFMMR), consisting of a thin Pd layer and a 30%CuO/CeO2 catalyst supported on an asymmetric Al2O3 hollow fibre has been developed. In the preparation of the CHFMMR, the Pd layer was deposited on outer surface of the hollow fibre substrate by electroless plating first, followed by impregnation of 30%CuO/CeO2 catalyst in the finger pores located in the inner surface of the hollow fibre lumen by sol–gel coating. The catalytic activity of the CHFMMR was tested using water–gas shift (WGS) reaction and compared to that of a catalytic hollow fibre microreactor (CHFMR) and a conventional fixed-bed reactor. The catalytic activity tests were performed at 1 atm and from 200 °C to 500 °C using different flow rates of sweep gas (from 50 to 75 ml/min). The ratio between CO and H2O in the feed was 1 to 0.5 with a space velocity of 80 l g−1 h−1. The conversion obtained in the CHFMMR is 35% higher than that in the conventional fixed-bed reactor. Furthermore, a conversion which was 17% higher than the corresponding thermodynamic equilibrium conversion was achieved in the CHFMMR, at 500 °C with a sweep gas flow rate of 75 ml/min.

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► A novel catalytic hollow fibre membrane microreactor (CHFMMR) is developed.
► The catalytic activity of the CHFMMR is tested using water–gas shift reaction.
► Achieved conversion is 17% higher than its thermodynamic equilibrium conversion.