An efficient palladium membrane reactor to increase the yield of styrene in ethylbenzene dehydrogenation

An efficient palladium membrane was employed for hydrogen separation in lab-scale membrane reactor during the process of catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. Compared with the conventional fixed bed reactor, the effects of reaction conditions including pressure, space velocity and temperatures on the ethylbenzene conversion and selectivity to styrene in the membrane reactor were investigated. It was found that the efficient removal of hydrogen in the membrane reactor could significantly increase the ethylbenzene conversion without at the expense of styrene selectivity. Under the optimal reaction conditions, 11.3% enhancement in yield to styrene was obtained in the membrane reactor.

In the palladium membrane reactor, the produced hydrogen in ethylbenzene dehydrogenation reaction can selectively pass through the palladium membrane by chemical dissociation. The conversion of ethylbenzene can be greatly promoted by the effective removal of hydrogen.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► An efficient palladium membrane reactor.
► Dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene in membrane reactor.
► The effects of reaction pressure, pace velocity and reaction temperatures.
► Palladium membrane effectively increases the yield of styrene.