New reaction engineering concepts for selective oxidation reactions

In order to enhance product yields in selective oxidation reactions, numerous reaction engineering concepts are being studied worldwide. Periodic operation has been investigated for decades, yet its application is limited to a few examples, such a the butane oxidation after DuPont or reverse-flow reactor for VOC removal. The use of microchannel reactor is a younger field, but it has already yielded promising result for process optimization. Catalytic wall reactor have proved to be a helpful tool for kinetic studies. On the laboratory scale, membrane reactor have displayed favorable behavior in selective oxidation. The Na vapor-catalyzed dehydrogenation of methanol to formaldehyde is a final example of an unusual new concept for selective oxidation.