Analysis of safety aspects in a membrane reactor

The concepts of process intensification and renewable sources use are becoming more popular in process design as a consequence of the shortage of raw materials and of the impact of modern society on the environment. Membrane reactors can combine reaction and separation steps in a single unit, improving the efficiency of operations. Mass and heat transport in a non-isothermal membrane reactor for an exothermic reaction as a function of working temperature, pressure, sweep flow rate, molar feed ratio and feed flow rate of the reagents was investigated by computer simulation. The analysis of the inherent safety aspects of the membrane reactor at different working conditions was developed using the HAZOP technique.