Application of palladium membrane reactor for dehydrogenation of propane

The dehydrogenation of propane in palladium membrane reactors was simulated using two models, i.e. the plug flow and radial diffusion models. The expr ession of hydrogen permeation through a Pd-Ag membrane was obtained from ex periments at 673,773 and 873 K, assuming that the permeation follows Siever t's law. The simulation results agreed well with the experimental values in the memb rane reactor for the dehydrogenation of propane on Pt-Sn-K/gamma -Al2O3. Th e membrane thickness played an important role in the performance of the mem brane reactor. The conversion of propane was independent of the N-2 Sweep f low rate when the membrane thickness was larger than 100 mum. Conversely, w hen the membrane thickness decreased, the conversion increased and graduall y leveled off. The effect of radial diffusion was significant at a membrane thickness of 10 mum.