7 - Polymeric membrane reactors

Abstract

Membrane reactors, by combining chemical reaction and separation in a single unit operation, represent an effective strategy for process intensification. Polymeric membranes, applicable in-low temperature processes (below 150°C), due to their high versatility and variety in types and properties, are very suitable and advantageous for applications in the fine chemistry field, when compared with their inorganic counterparts. This chapter gives an overview of polymeric membrane reactors since membrane structures, such as dense, porous, symmetric, asymmetric, integral, composite, and mixed matrices, until the membrane role in the reactor. Techniques for membrane preparation such as phase inversion or the methods used to prepare metal nanoparticles loaded mixed matrices are reviewed. The membrane reactors’ classification according to the membrane material’s nature, the role of the membrane in the catalytic process, the transport function of the membrane, or the reactor configuration is revisited. Recent signs of progress on new membrane types or membrane reactors, such as ionic liquid membranes, polymeric microporous membranes, or polymeric membrane microreactors are referred to.