E. Turpeinen

Sustainability Assessment of Chemical Processes: Evaluation of Three Synthesis Routes of DMC

This paper suggested multicriteria based evaluation tool to assess the sustainability of three different reaction routes to dimethyl carbonate: direct synthesis from carbon dioxide and methanol, transesterification of methanol and propylene carbonate, and oxidative carbonylation of methanol. The first two routes are CO2-based and in a research and development phase, whereas the last one is a commercial process. The set of environmental, social, and economic indicators selected were renewability of feedstock, energy intensity, waste generation, CO2 balance, yield, feedstock price, process costs, health and safety issues of feedstock, process conditions, and innovation potential. The performance in these indicators was evaluated with the normalized scores from 0 to

Advances in catalysts for membrane reactors

Abstract: Membrane reactors with a catalyst bed are designed to be used in various reactions, such as hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, oxidation and reforming reactions. The catalyst can be introduced into the reactor as a bed in several ways in the form, for example, of pellets, extrudates or tablets; or it can be incorporated in the reactor as a catalytic membrane wall. However, in many cases, the studies concentrate on the membrane itself, the development of catalysts is ignored, and commercial catalysts are used in the experiments. Most of the catalysts tested are aluminium oxide (alumina, Al 2 O 3 ) based, as alumina is a mature support and already well proven in convectional reactors. However, some new catalyst materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black, gels and anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) are developed as innovative catalyst supports and catalysts, since there is also a need for new catalysts for membrane reactors.