A zeolite / alumina pore plugging membrane was used to successfully separate xylene isomers. It was then applied as a selective membrane in an extractor type Catalytic Membrane Reactor (CMR), used to enhance the xylene isomerization reaction selectivity towards para-xylene. The results of the CMR in different configurations (permeate-only and combined permeate-&-retentate mode) were compared to conventional fixed-bed reactor results. In both cases, the selectivity was significantly enhanced (up to 100% in permeate-only mode). In the combined mode, the CMR also provided a net increase in productivity over the conventional reactor.
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