Permeable composite membrane as a catalytically active contactor for hydrogenation reactions

The efficiency of using of the permeable composite membrane (PCM) is demonstrated in the 3-phase reaction of liquid substrate with gaseous hydrogen on solid catalyst (PCM acts as a catalytically active contactor)—hydrogenation of fatty acid triglyceride. PCM provides a good combination of the opposite requirements of mild internal diffusion restrictions, low hydraulic resistance, high thermal conductivity, well-developed gas–liquid interface and high catalyst loading in the reactor volume, and thus assures the control of the course of the catalytic reaction.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (206 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Permeable composite membrane (PCM) acts as a catalytically active contactor. ► Owing to the high heat conductivity PCM provides isothermal regime in the catalyst bed. ► Arranged porous structure provides the control of mass-transfer and diffusion processes. ► The kinetic regime is easily realized in PCM-based reactor. ► PCM assures the control of the rate and the direction of the catalytic reaction.