Enhancing dimethyl ether production as a renewable fuel using a high-performance BEA zeolite membrane reactor

This study evaluates the performance of a catalytic membrane reactor (MR) utilizing newly synthesized BEA zeolite membranes for the production of dimethyl ether (DME) as renewable fuel. BEA zeolite was synthesized and deposited as thin catalytic film on a porous alumina tube support and its structure, thickness, and crystal morphology were analyzed and optimized using SEM, XRD, EDS, XPS and in-situ FT-IR. Methanol conversion and DME selectivity were assessed at various temperatures (200–260 °C) and weight hourly space velocities (WHSVs) (3.5–21.1 h−1). The BEA MR demonstrated a good methanol conversion (88 % at 3.5 h−1 and 200 °C) even at high WHSV values, with full DME selectivity. The addition of water in the feed stream was also assessed, observing a reduction of conversion. Durability tests revealed a gradual decline in MR performance over time, yet the MR maintained good performance, with an initial MeOH conversion of approximately 88 %, remaining relatively stable for the first 70 h at 200 °C and 3.5 h−1. Subsequently, the conversion decreased but remained above 70 % for up to 144 h. The membrane successfully recovered its initial performance after multiple regeneration cycles, confirming its suitability for longer term operations.