Membrane pilot reactor applied to selective oxidation reactions

The partial oxidation of butane to maleic anhydride was studied in a conventional fixed bed as well as a novel reactor configuration consisting of a porous metallic membrane immersed in a gas–solid fluid bed. The diameter of both reactors was at a commercial scale greater than 30 mm. A range of gas flow rates, temperatures and butane concentrations were tested. Maleic anhydride yield was generally higher in the membrane reactor due to higher butane conversion. Maleic productivity in the fixed bed equalled that observed in the membrane reactor when the gas–solid fluid bed was maintained at a higher temperature of as much as 30 °C. The butane feed rate to the membrane reactor was limited by hot spots. These hot spots were unanticipated and underscore the importance of increasing heat transfer in order to commercialize this technology.