Feasibility of Manufacturing Hydrogen and Styrene through the Use of Porous Ceramic Membranes
Resource
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 38(11), 4491-4495
Journal
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Journal Volume
38
Journal Issue
11
Pages
4491-4495
Date Issued
1999
Date
1999
Author(s)
Wu, J. C. S.
Abstract
The gas separation of multiple-component mixtures was studied in a porous ceramic membrane through mathematical simulation at high temperature. The separation mechanism is based on Knudsen diffusion. The model is suitable for preliminarily evaluating the separation and feasibility of porous ceramic membranes in chemical processes. Hydrogen and styrene plants using membrane separators are evaluated. Four recycle streams as well as five compressors are required to obtain high-purity hydrogen by a commercial alumina membrane, while only one stage is needed if the hydrogen permselectivity could be enhanced. An intermediate membrane separator is proposed to insert between two dehydrogenation reactors in a typical styrene plant. Simulation results indicate that the production of styrene can be substantially increased because of the removal of most of the hydrogen through a membrane separator. In addition, no extra heating load is necessary for processing more fresh ethylbenzene in the second reactor. For an existing styrene plant, the capital investment of the membrane separator would be less compared with that of a catalytic membrane reactor.
Type
journal article