Selective and efficient hydrocarbon oxidation in a packed bed membrane reactor

The liquid phase hydrocarbon oxidation is studied in a packed bed membrane reactor. A mathematical model is developed, reaction simulations are perfor med and interpreted using the conversion, organic peroxide efficiency and o xidation product separation factor. The influence of several process parame ters, such as space time, overall membrane mass transfer coefficient and aq ueous-organic phase distribution coefficient is investigated. A substantial increase in organic peroxide efficiency was observed in the packed bed mem brane reactor configuration as compared to a conventional packed bed reacto r. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.