Solid electrolyte membrane reactor for controlled partial oxidation of hydrocarbons: Model and experimental validation

A mathematical model of a solid electrolyte membrane reactor is presented which accounts for the prevailing physical phenomena of the electrochemical partial oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. From an analysis of characteristic dimensionless numbers it was concluded that the reactor behaviour can be described by a one-dimensional pseudo-homogeneous approach with respect to the anodic gas channel and a one-plus-one-dimensional electrochemical model. Beside mass and charge transport processes, electrochemical charge transfer reactions as well as heterogeneously catalysed oxidation reactions are considered. As kinetic model a modified Mars–van Krevelen approach is suggested. Experimental results of oxygen pumping and butane oxidation experiments were used to determine kinetic parameters and to validate the model.