Solid electrolyte membrane reactor for controlled partial oxidation of hydrocarbons: Model and experimental validation

A mathematical model of a solid electrolyte membrane reactor is presented which accounts for the prevailing physical phenomena of the electrochemical partial oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. From an analysis of characteristic dimensionless numbers it was concluded that the reactor behaviour can be described by a one-dimensional pseudo-homogeneous approach with respect to the anodic gas channel and a one-plus-one-dimensional electrochemical model. Beside mass and charge transport processes, electrochemical charge transfer reactions as well as heterogeneously catalysed oxidation reactions are considered. As kinetic model a modified Mars-van Krevelen approach is suggested. Experimental results of oxygen pumping and butane oxidation experiments were used to determine kinetic parameters and to validate the model. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.