A Novel Two Membrane Reactor for Coupling of Dehydrogenation of Cyclohexane and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

In this study, a novel thermally coupled two-membrane reactor (TCTMR) is proposed in order to enhance of gasoline production. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is carried out in the exothermic side with Hydroxy Sodalite (H-SOD) membrane and supplies the necessary heat for the endothermic side. Dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to benzene is carried out in the endothermic side with hydrogen-permselective Pd/Ag membrane layer. Water produced during FTS negative influences the reaction by re-oxidation of catalysts, increasing water/gas shift activity and decreasing partial pressures of the products. The achieved results of this simulation have been compared with the results of the conventional fixed-bed reactor (CR) at identical process conditions. The simulation results show 41% enhancement in the gasoline yield and 63% decrease in CO2 yield of TCTMR in comparison with the one in CR due to a favorable profile of temperature along the TCTMR.

Keywords:

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis , Dehydrogenation of cyclohexane , H-SOD membrane , Pd/Ag membrane , thermally coupled two-membrane reactor