High Temperature Membrane Reactors

Membrane reactors have the potential to improve reactivity and productivity of various chemical syntheses, including transesterification. However, to be of value, these systems must provide a higher use temperature, improved chemical resistance, and better mass transfer. This project will identify chemically- and thermally-resistant membrane components, fabricate a membrane reactor based on these components, demonstrate enhanced synthesis, and determine economic and energy savings. In Phase I, membrane reactors with far superior thermal resistance ,e.g. 200 degrees C, and chemical resistance were fabricated. Consistent with their hollow fiber design, the membrane reactors exhibited superior mass transfer. Using the membrane reactor, a significant enhancement in the chemical reactions was demonstrated, especially with respect to transesterification and other equilibrium controlled reactions. Phase II will build larger-scale hollow fiber membrane modules, e.g., 1 to10 ft2, and use them to demonstrate enhanced transesterification reactions and the ability to maintain stability when exposed to high temperature and aggressive organics. Finally, the reactors will be field-tested, and the data collected will be used to conduct detailed engineering and economic evaluations, and for comparison to alternative non-membrane reactor processes. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A broad platform of equilibrium-controlled chemical reactions could be enhanced by membrane reactors. Direct applications for the technology could lead to the production well over 5 billion pounds of product per year, with an energy savings of over 600 trillion BTU per year. Other applications could be related to the drying of organics, most specifically fuel grade ethanol and pipeline ethanol