Simulation of CO2 hydrogenation with CH3OH removal in a zeolite membrane reactor

A thermodynamic analysis of the CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol where competitive reactions take place is presented for a membrane reactor (MR) where methanol was selectively removed. A non-isothermal mathematical model was written to simulate a micro-porous MR. Zeolite membranes with different values of the CH 3 OH and H 2 O permeances were considered in the MR modelling. The effect of temperature, pressure and species permeation on the conversion, selectivity and yield was analysed. A higher CO 2 conversion and CH 3 OH selectivity can be reached by the use of an MR. An increased CH 3 OH yield allows to reduce the consumption of reactant and also to operate at lower pressures and higher temperatures, a fact, which favours the kinetics reducing the residence time and the reactor volume. The MR with the highest CH 3 OH/H 2 O permeance ratio resulted in better selectivity and yield of CH 3 OH with respect to the other MR characterised by a higher conversion.