Application of a catalytic membrane reactor to the selective hydrogenation of 1-butyne

Publication date: Available online 1 May 2019Source: Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process IntensificationAuthor(s): G. García Colli, J.A. Alves, O.M. Martínez, G.F. BarretoAbstractA catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) was applied in order to enhance the selectivity in the hydrogenation of 1-butyne in the presence of 1-butene. The performance of the CMR was studied in batch-wise operation for the hydrocarbon liquid mixture, while hydrogen was continuously fed to keep a constant partial pressure. The reaction was carried out at 44 °C and partial pressures of hydrogen in the range of 1 to 5 bar. The CMR was prepared by impregnating a commercial alumina membrane disk with Pd. Experimental results were compared with those obtained in a conventional fixed bed reactor (FBR), using a commercial catalyst of egg-shell type in its original size, and in a microreactor (MR) with the same commercial catalyst milled to a size of around 40 μm. The CMR presents high activity and selectivity, comparable to the values ​​of the milled commercial catalyst, but significantly higher than for the commercial catalyst in its original size. Kinetic parameters for the hydrogenation of 1-butyne were obtained from the regression of the experimental data. Also, a simulation of a continuous operation of both, CMR and FBR with the commercial catalyst, was carried out to show the advantage in selectivity of the CMR.Graphical abstract

Source: Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification - May 2, 2019 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research