Dehydration of ethanol with a novel membrane reactor

N7

tional chemistry

in scrreening for potential

the basis of selected

case studies, more

new catalysts. One of the problems

is that

publicity should be given to the other so-

catalysis

not a

cial benefits of catalysis.

is one dynamic

process,

series of steps as it is usually

concep-

tualized, and the quantum chemistry is not

it is of vital importance

fully understood

development

yet.

At the close of the July 1992 internaconclusions concepts.

both

environmental

one of the

sons. There are plenty

lacks new

search,

during the Heems-

kerk meeting

it became obvious

presentations

and discussions

continues

for

and economic

in Budapest,

However,

and

that research and

in catalysis

was that catalysis

tional conference

Politicians

policy makers need to be made aware that

rea-

of ideas for re-

now the necessary

funding

and

support.

from the that cata-

lysis has a bright and multifaceted

future.

Dehydration of Ethanol with a Novel Membrane Reactor

We are now at a juncture where a paradigm shift is needed so that growth in catalysis can begin on a new S-curve. The market pull exerted

by the environmental

lenge is the opportunity

chal-

that would allow

this. There is much fundamental

research

still to be done, and there are many applications that need to be developed.

Some

of the important areas tlo be addressed are: the use of zeolites molecular tive

and other crystalline

sieves; low temperature

oxidation;

membrane

reactor

seleccata-

lysts; “one pot” reactors; electrocatalysis; magnetic

field catalysis;

ultrasound

cata-

lysis; the interface between electronics and catalysis, between and catalysis, biomimetic

chemical

engineering

and between

biocatalysis,

analogues

and chemical cata-

lysis. As catalysis research is an interdisciplinary field, catalyst development, cal engineering

chemi-

and reactor development

will all influence each other. Catalysis

is clearly

in need of better

public relations, particularly essential

role played

as regards the

bly catalyst technol-

A recent US Patent [5,227,141] by J. J. Kim, W. Y. Lee, and I. K. Song describes a novel three-level

membrane

reactor con-

cept. The catalyst bed of a heteropoly

acid

was mounted as a separate layer above a truncated

cone-shaped

hole to guide the

flow of reactant to the center of a disk of polysulfone

membrane. The inventors stu-

died the dehydration or dimethyl

of ethanol to ethylene

ether [DME]. Since the per-

meation of ethylene either ethanol

is much greater than

or DME, ethylene

duced in high selectivity

is pro-

on the permeate

side. At 1500°C and using 13 g of catalysthrlmol of ethanol, the ethanol conversion rate was 30% in the membrane 16% in a comparable The selectivities much

higher

reactor vs.

fixed bed reactor.

to ethylene

were

in the membrane

[44%] when compared

also

reactor

with the fixed bed

reactor [4%]. JOHN N. ARMOR

ogy. Among the general public, catalysis has

the

image

friendly technology immediately

of

an

Journal of Catalysis

as most people would with

On December 31, 1993, Gary Haller will

exh,aust emissions. On

step down as Editor of the Journal of Cata-

associatle

cleaner automobile

environmentally catalysts

lysis. He will continue applied catalysis A: General

Volume 108 No. 1 -

to process

new

20 January 1994