Abstract
Simulation and experimental studies on the polymer membrane reactor were examined for the vapor-phase MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) decomposition. A double pipe (shell and tube type) membrane reactor comprising 12-tungstophosphoricacid catalyst and polymer membrane was designed. The polymer membrane was coated on the porous alumina tube. Polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polysulfone (PSF) or cellulose acetate (CA) was used as a constituent membrane material. It was observed that permeabilities of methanol through each polymer membrane were higher than those of isobutene and MTBE regardless of the kind of polymer membrane used. The selective permeation of methanol through each polymer membrane shifted the chemical equilibrium toward the favorable direction in the MTBE decomposition reaction. MTBE conversions in the membrane reactors were much enhanced compared to the equilibrium conversions. The MTBE conversions were increased with the increase of reaction temperature and with the decrease of reaction pressure. Simulated results were in good agreement with the experimental results. The PPO membrane reactor showed the best performance in the experimental condition.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.