Analysis of a fluidized bed membrane reactor for butane partial oxidation to maleic anhydride: 2D modelling

The partial oxidation of butane to maleic anhydride in a membrane reactor with improved heat transfer through the wall has been studied in this work. The reactor consisted of a catalytic fixed bed with sintered metal membrane wall that allows the gradual feed of air from the external fluidized bed. The influence of the most important design and operation variables (reactor length, gas flow rate, inlet temperature, butane inlet concentration, and air gas flow rate) on butane conversion and maleic anhydride selectivity has been studied by means of computer simulations using an experimentally-validated detailed 2D model. The performance of this reactor was systematically compared to the corresponding conventional fixed bed reactor. The membrane reactor has been found to provide slightly higher selectivity than the fixed bed reactor. Moreover, in the membrane reactor, the mixing of butane and air takes place through the wall directly inside the catalytic bed. Since solid beds avoid flame propagation, the process can be operated with higher butane inlet concentrations under safety conditions. Hence, the fluidized bed membrane reactor represents an interesting alternative for industrial-scale operation.