Catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) is an emerging novel technology. In the pr
esent work, a mathematical model has been developed for the oxidation of al
kenes to epoxides in a CMR. Effects of various parameters such as peroxide
and alkene concentration in liquid phase, sorption coefficient of the membr
ane for peroxide and alkene, membrane-catalyst distribution coefficient for
peroxide and alkene and catalyst loading have been studied. The model pred
ictions show that in CMR with an organophillic membrane phase, peroxide con
centration remains low at catalyst active site, reducing the rate of peroxi
de decomposition. By proper selection of the parameters mentioned above, hi
gh peroxide efficiency and significant rate of generation of the epoxide ca
n be obtained in CMR. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.