Alkene epoxidation with peroxide in a catalytic membrane reactor: a theoretical study

Catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) is an emerging novel technology. In the present work, a mathematical model has been developed for the oxidation of alkenes to epoxides in a CMR. Effects of various parameters such as peroxide and alkene concentration in liquid phase, sorption coefficient of the membrane for peroxide and alkene, membrane-catalyst distribution coefficient for peroxide and alkene and catalyst loading have been studied. The model predictions show that in CMR with an organophillic membrane phase, peroxide concentration remains low at catalyst active site, reducing the rate of peroxide decomposition. By proper selection of the parameters mentioned above, high peroxide efficiency and significant rate of generation of the epoxide can be obtained in CMR. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.