MATHEMATICAL-ANALYSIS ON CATALYTIC DEHYDROGENATION OF ETHYLBENZENE USING CERAMIC MEMBRANES

Ceramic membranes capable of performing Knudsen separations were discussed extensively in the literature as a potential candidate for membrane reactor processes. A mathematical model is employed to evaluate the performance of a membrane reactor for the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. The model previously discussed in the literature has been modified to include side reactions for estimating product selectivities. According to our analysis in a selected case study, an increase (greater-than-or-equal-to 5%) in styrene yield over the thermodynamic limit is achieved by a hybrid system, i.e., a fixed bed reactor in conjunction with a membrane reactor. The proposed membrane reactor shows a different behavior in the generation of key side products, i.e., benzene and toluene. The side reaction for toluene is inhibited as a result of the selective removal of hydrogen, while the generation of benzene continues at a reduced rate.