Analysis of Membrane Reactors for Integrated Coupling of Oxidative and Thermal Dehydrogenation of Propane

This study presents strategies capable to intensify the thermal dehydrogenation of propane (TDH) using integrated reactor concepts. An inert packed bed membrane reactor for distributed dosing of oxygen to realize the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) was studied and compared to a reactor with catalytically active membrane. The latter concept allows to combine TDH and ODH in one apparatus to overcome the chemical equilibrium by in situ conversion of the by‐product H₂ using O₂ or in a reverse water‐gas shift reaction by CO₂. If CO₂ is used as active sweep gas the reactor offered better performance regarding yield and selectivity. Strategies for further thermal integration are discussed.