Catalysis in Micro-structured Membrane Reactors with Nano-designed Membranes

For thermodynamically and kinetically controlled catalytic reactions, the influence of a membrane is discussed. For reactions operating near to the thermodynamic equilibrium, the conversion can be increased if one/all of the products is/are selectively removed in an extractor type membrane reactor. Examples are esterifications, dehydrogenations, and water dissociation using water, hydrogen, and oxygen selective membranes, respectively. For kinetically controlled reactions, i.e. reactions with a very negative free enthalpy, mainly the selectivity can be increased via the control of the partial pressure of the educts by dosing effects using distributor/contactor membrane reactors. Examples are partial oxidations and hydrogenations. In detail, the application of an oxygen transporting perovskite hollow fiber membrane with a nano-designed grain boundary structure in the hydrogen production by thermal water splitting and in the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons as case studies for thermodynamically and kinetically controlled reactions is discussed.