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*STTR Project:  High Temperature Membrane Reactors-- Compact Membrane Systems, Inc., 325 Water Street, Wilmington, DE  19804; 302‑999‑7996; www.compactmembrane.com  

Dr. Sudipto Majumdar, Principal Investigator, smajumdar@compactmembrane.com

Dr. Stuart Nemser, Business Official, snemser@compactmembrane.com

DOE Grant No. DE‑FG02‑07ER86305

Amount:  $100,000

 

Research Institution

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

 

Membrane reactors have the potential to improve the reactivity, productivity, and energy efficiency of various chemical syntheses including transesterification.  To be of value, the membrane reactors must provide a higher use temperature, improved chemical resistance and better mass transfer.  This project will evaluate the use of a high temperature, high mass transfer membrane system to enhance transesterification reactivity.  First, novel membrane modules with improved upper-use temperature, chemical resistance, and mass transfer will be fabricated.  Then, the modules will be tested to demonstrate enhanced transesterification.

 

Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee:   The new membrane reactors should impact a broad platform of chemical reactions, leading to energy savings of over 50 trillion BTU/yr.  The products impacted include fuel grade ethanol and pipeline ethanol.