Novel Platform for Enhanced Membrane Reactors for Homogeneous Catalysis

Catalysis plays a substantial role in the synthesis of the most U.S. commodity chemicals, with huge implications for energy usage. Membrane reactors have been proposed for a number of these syntheses. However, to be competitive with conventional technologies, membrane reactors must demonstrate better selectivity, permeability, and/or stability. This project will develop a novel platform with key features for broad membrane reactor utilization. These features will offer significant advantages compared to existing membranes (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol) and other unit operations (e.g., molecular sieve dryers). In Phase I, the membrane reactor will be fabricated. A representative homogeneous catalysis system will be selected to demonstrate that the reactor can provide an enhanced reaction rate with minimum energy consumption. Finally, an economic analysis will be conducted. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new membrane reactors should be applicable to a broad platform of chemical reactions, which produce well over 5 billion pounds of product annually, with a potential energy savings of over 50 trillion BTU/yr.