Process Intensification by Membrane Reactors: High‐Temperature Water Gas Shift Reaction as Single Stage for Syngas Upgrading

Abstract

Pd-based membrane reactors (MRs) selectively removing hydrogen shift the equilibrium conversion of this new reactor type to values higher than those imposed by thermodynamics to traditional reactors. Thus, the equilibrium conversion of CO is significantly increased and can be very strongly depending on the hydrogen extracted also at a higher temperature. This property of the MRs offers important benefits also in terms of process intensification. In the typical high-temperature range for this reaction, i.e., 300-450°C, the performance of an MR turned out to be so effective that the two reactors of a traditional process can be replaced by one MR of lower volume, too. The conversion of the MR is higher than the one of the whole traditional process which includes a heat exchanger in addition to two reactors. Consequently, less and smaller unit operations are required when an MR operates the water gas shift reaction pursuing the process intensification philosophy.

Fabrication of a biconnected structure PVB porous heddle via thermally induced phase separation

“…Typically, the TIPS process involves heating a polymer/diluent mixture at high temperatures to prepare a homogeneous solution and then cooling the solution to low temperatures for phase separation. 1,2 The selected diluent is closely related to the phase separation behaviors, that is, liquidliquid (L-L) and solid-liquid (S-L) phase separation. Compared with non-solution phase separation (NIPS) methods, the TIPS process is not only simple but also enables facile control of the membrane structures because it has fewer inuencing factors such as diluent, cooling rate, polymer concentration, and additives.…”

Bilevel and parallel programing‐based operability approaches for process intensification and modularity

“…This framework was applied to low‐dimensional case studies related to a DMA‐MR and an NGCC plant; however, there is still a gap related to the extension of the nonlinear operability calculations from low‐dimensional to high‐dimensional systems. MRs have emerged as examples of intensified processes as they combine reaction and separation unit operations in one process improving the system efficiency, lowering the cost, and minimizing the environmental footprint . A modular plant was recently defined as the process equipment, instrumentation, valves, piping components, and electrical wiring that are mounted within a structural framework .…”

Novel operability‐based approach for process design and intensification: Application to a membrane reactor for direct methane aromatization

“…In the last decades, MRs have emerged as examples of intensified processes as they combine reaction and separation unit operations in one process improving the system efficiency, lowering the cost, and minimizing the environmental footprint . Several examples using membrane processes for intensification purposes were briefly presented, for example, the conversion of lignocellulose to biofuels in a biorefinery and the use of membranes for water treatment plants .…”

“…There are several definitions of process intensification considered in the literature. In this work, we follow the definition of process intensification by Stankiewicz, Drioli, Ramshaw, and co‐workers as a strategy for making dramatic reductions in the size of a chemical process so as to reach a given production objective.…”