Membrane reactors: applications

The development of new value-added products and the implementation of innovative technologies are growing particular attention in the viewpoint of a modernization of oil-refining, chemical and petrochemical industry, which may take into account the treatment of aromatic hydrocarbons and olefins, the production of green energy and, in the meanwhile, preserving the environment. Membrane technology could constitute a key challenge to promote the scale-up from fundamental research to large-scale industry, owing to the offer of attractive opportunities in the design, rationalization and optimization of, for example, energy production. In the same industrial field, it is possible, indeed, to integrate different operations, gaining important benefits in product quality, plant compactness and lower environmental impact. As a particular case, high competitiveness and innovation are expected from integrated membrane reactor technology in many segments of the conventional industrial activities, especially in such area as the production of hydrogen from reforming of hydrocarbons and alcohols or from the exploitation of new greener and alternative energy sources such as bio-fuels.