MODELING AND SIMULATION OF CATALYTIC MEMBRANE REACTOR FOR DEHYDROGENATION OF CYCLOHEXANE

Abstract

A simple mathematical model assuming isothermal operation and a plug flow pattern was developed to evaluate the performance of an FAU-type zeolite membrane reactor for use in the catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexane. The membrane reactor consisted of a catalyst bed and membrane, containing an impermeable region at the reactor inlet, followed by a permeable region. The impermeable region was required in order to achieve an equilibrium conversion before entering the permeable region, and the selective permeation of benzene and hydrogen was sufficient to shift the equilibrium. The results of the simulation for the membrane reactor were in good agreement with the experimental results. On the basis of the simulation, the zeolite membrane reactor was superior to the fixed bed reactor. The effect of co-feeding hydrogen with cyclohexane, to restrain coke formation on the catalyst due to the high hydrogen concentration in the feed side was clearly demonstrated. The rate of reaction and conversion along the length of the both the reactor configurations have been studied and concluded that the hybrid membrane reactor is superior to fixed bed reactor with the same operating conditions.