Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
157576 | Chemical Engineering Science | 2010 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
In a flow-through catalytic membrane reactor, catalyst is immobilized in the pores of a membrane, which is convectively passed by the reaction mixture, allowing for high catalytic activity and a potentially narrow residence time distribution (RTD). As the membrane geometry prevents measurement of a meaningful RTD, a residence time distribution model is introduced, which accounts for deviations from ideal plug flow behavior induced by a non-ideal pore size distribution and by axial molecular diffusion. Both effects are combined to an effective dispersion model with a single dimensionless parameter, which is a function of pore geometry, axial velocity and molecular diffusion coefficient. As a result of the developed model, recommendations for optimum reactor operation are given.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering (General)
Authors
Thomas Westermann, Nicole Kopriwa, Alexander Schröder, Thomas Melin,