Application of a flow-through catalytic membrane reactor (FTCMR) for the destruction of a chemical warfare simulant

In this study the flow-through catalytic membrane reactor (FTCMR) concept is applied in the thermal oxidation of a chemical warfare simulant, namely dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), in air. Preliminary experiments under different DMMP feed concentrations and reactor temperatures (373–573 K) have demonstrated the potential advantage of the FTCMR concept in the catalytic oxidation of DMMP. Complete destruction of various concentrations of DMMP in air was achieved at lower temperatures, with the FTCMR showing superior performance when compared to a wall-coated, plug-flow reactor (monolith) containing the same amount of catalytic metal. A mathematical model has also been developed in order to provide a better understanding of the fundamental transport phenomena underpinning the FTCMR operation. The model makes use of the Dusty-Gas formulation of transport, and incorporates continuum and Knudsen diffusion, as well as viscous flow as the mechanisms for gas transport through the porous membrane. The model is used for identifying the advantages of the FTCMR concept in comparison with the wall-coated catalytic monolith, and also for investigating some of the limitations, which may exist in applying this concept for the complete oxidation of chemical warfare simulants. The results of the model support the superiority of the FTCMR concept over the more conventional plug-flow monolith reactor.

► A flow-through catalytic membrane reactor (FTCMR) is applied in the oxidation of DMMP.
► Experiments demonstrate potential advantages of the FTCMR over the monolith reactor.
► A model is developed that explains the fundamental phenomena underpinning FTCMR operation.