Hydrogen-selective natural mordenite in a membrane reactor for ethane dehydrogenation

Lab-scale ethane dehydrogenation experiments with natural mordenite disks in a membrane reactor showed an increase in ethane conversion and ethylene yield compared to their equilibrium values. Experiments performed with larger membrane permeation area confirmed the trend that higher conversions are expected as the ratio of product permeation and product formation rates increases. Using the lab-scale membrane reactor module an ethylene yield enhancement of similar to 17% was observed at 500 degrees C. At a higher reaction temperature (550 degrees C), ethane dehydrogenation experiments resulted in a similar to 10% ethylene yield enhancement versus 6% for comparative experiments at 500 degrees C. At 550 degrees C the membrane reactor effectiveness improved since the H-2 permeation rate increased proportionally more than its formation rate. This material screening test revealed natural mordenite as a material to be considered in the development of highly-integrated membrane reactor modules for dehydrogenation of alkanes. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.