Catalytic combustion of propane in a membrane reactor with separate feed of reactants. IV. Transition from the kinetics- to the transport-controlled regime

A membrane reactor with separate reactants feed for the catalytic combustio n of propane was studied in the transition from the kinetics- to the transp ort-controlled regime, where a clear steady-state multiplicity phenomenon t akes place. The experimental data were interpreted through a model which ta kes the mass and heat transfer inside and outside the membrane into account . The external heat transfer towards the cooling surfaces of the reactor an d the uneven catalyst distribution over the membrane were identified as the most important features governing the behaviour of the reactor. The good a greement between the model predictions and experimental data allows one to regard the model as a good tool for design purposes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.