Isobutane dehydrogenation in a membrane reactor - Influence of the operating conditions on the performance

Isobutane dehydrogenation has been investigated in a membrane reactor combining a bimetallic PtIn/zeolite fixed-bed catalyst and a microporous MFI-alumina tubular membrane. The membrane reactor performance has been studied as a function of the feed and sweep flow rates and of the sweep (co- or counter-current sweep modes). Isobutene yields up to four times higher than that observed in a conventional reactor have been obtained. Depending on the conditions, it is shown that the performance of the membrane reactor is controlled either by the membrane or by the catalyst. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.