CONTROL OF TRANSPORT-PROPERTIES WITH A MICROPOROUS MEMBRANE REACTOR TO ENHANCE YIELDS IN DEHYDROGENATION REACTIONS

The dehydrogenation of isobutane has been studied in a membrane reacto r using either a mesoporous alumina membrane or a microporous zeolite membrane. Tt has been shown that for both membranes an increase in the isobutene yield is observed when compared to a conventional reactor. However, these increases are related to two different phenomena: a com plete mixing of reactants, products and sweep gas in the case of the m esoporous membrane and a continuous separation of hydrogen when the mi croporous zeolite membrane was used.