Studies of a membrane reactor: Esterification facilitated by pervaporation

This study deals with pervaporation-facilitated esterification. A parametric study was carried out to provide a fundamental understanding of the reactor behavior. A batch reactor integrated with a pervaporation unit was selected as the model system. It was shown by simulation that conversions exceeding equilibrium limits can be achieved by using pervaporation to remove water from the reaction mixtures, and that complete conversion of one reactant is obtainable when the other is in excess. The membrane reactor tolerates the presence of water, which can be either in the reaction medium or as impurity of the reacting reagent. There are upper and lower limits in the performance of reactor facilitation by pervaporation. Membrane permeability, membrane area and the volume of the reaction mixtures to be treated are important operating parameters influencing the reactor behavior. Operating temperature influences reactor performance through its influences on reaction rate and membrane permeability. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd