Simulation of hydrogen and propylene coproduction in catalytic membrane reactor

•The mathematical model of catalytic membrane reactor was developed.•The effect of membrane parameters on propylene yield and hydrogen purity was studied.•Pores diameter of 0.4 nm and membrane thickness of 4 μm are the optimal values.

A two-dimensional non isothermal mathematical model has been developed to simulate the propane dehydrogenation in a catalytic membrane reactor with tube-and-shell configuration. The permeable inner tube consists of an inert large-pore support and thin microporous membrane layer. The membrane removes hydrogen from reaction zone shifting the reaction equilibrium towards products. Both pores diameter and membrane thickness were varied to obtain the optimal membrane characteristics in terms of hydrogen and propylene productivity, and hydrogen purity. The model correctly predicted the improved process parameters when the membrane thickness was 4 μm and the pore diameter was 0.4 nm.

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