Chapter 14 Feasibility of the application of porous inorganic gas separation membranes in some large-scale chemical processes

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the feasibility of the application of porous inorganic gas-separation membranes in some large-scale chemical processes. A multidisciplinary approach focusing on materials, processes, and modeling is needed to judge the techno-economic feasibility of inorganic membranes in large-scale processes. The chapter discusses the examples of the potential use of porous inorganic membranes in three different membrane reactor applications: (1) the dehydrogenation of propane to propylene, (2) the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene, and (3) the water-gas shift reaction. Membrane characteristics—such as permeation, selectivity, and separation factor—are described in the chapter. For profitable implementation of inorganic membranes, a high-selective membrane with a higher permeability than the membranes now available is necessary, in combination with higher reaction rates. The measurements and calculations should be performed on a realistic basis and scale to obtain reliable data on the performance of the membranes.