MODELS AND SIMULATION OF LIQUID-PHASE MEMBRANE REACTORS

A model of a liquid-phase membrane reactor is presented here. The mode l utilizes a reaction scheme and rate data applicable to the hydrocrac king of California Hondo crude derived asphaltenes. Two reactor config urations have been investigated. In the first reactor configuration (c onfiguration A) the shell-side reactor volume is kept constant by cont inuously pumping into the reactor pure solvent. In the second reactor configuration (configuration B) no additional solvent is added to the reactor shell side, whose volume, as a result, decreases as the solven t and solutes diffuse across the membrane from the shell side to the t ube side. The model has been utilized to identify optimal reactor and process conditions and membrane characteristics, which maximize conver sion and product yields.