Catalytic zeolite membrane reactors for the selective CO oxidation

CO selective oxidation (Selox) is known as an interesting and economic approach for the purification of H2-rich gas streams. A selective catalyst, typically Pt-supported [1], is necessary to avoid H2 consumption. Most of these catalysts have been studied over fixed bed or monolith; the use of catalytic membrane reactors (MRs) was investigated only in a few papers [2-4]. In the present work CO Selox was studied using catalytic Pt-Y zeolite membranes (tubular) prepared by ion-exchange as reported in [4]. Catalytically active particles are entrapped in a thin zeolite layer (a few microns thick), avoiding the by-pass problems, generally, shown in catalyst pellets.