Modelling nitrate reduction in a flow-through catalytic membrane contactor: Role of pore confining effects on water viscosity

► We have carried out nitrate hydrogenation tests in a Pd(Cu) catalytic membrane reactor. ► Nitrate conversion increases with the transmembrane flowrate for top layers with dp < 10 nm. ► We have developed a coupled model of concentration polarization and ionic solute transport. ► An increase of the solvent viscosity under confinement might explain the observed trends.