Roohollah Sadeghi - Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan ۸۴۱۵۶۸۳۱۱۱, Iran
Mohammad Mahdi Mardapour - Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan ۸۴۱۵۶۸۳۱۱۱, Iran
Mohammad Reza Ehsani - Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan ۸۴۱۵۶۸۳۱۱۱, Iran

In this study, a two-phase model for a novel shell and tube fluidized bed membrane reactor (FBMR) has been developed in order to synthesize the dimethyl ether substance. In fluidized bedmembrane reactor, the feed synthesis gas is flowed in the tube side of the fluidized bed membranereactor in co-current mode with reacting gas mixture in the shell side. Due to the hydrogen partialpressure driving force, hydrogen can penetrate from feed synthesis gas into the reaction sidethrough the membrane. The proposed model has been used to compare the performance of a fluidized bed membrane reactor with the conventional reactors. The effects of different parameters on the dimethyl ether production and CO conversion were investigated in the fluidized bedmembrane reactor. These parameters include temperature, reaction side pressure, space velocityand H2/CO ratio in the feed gas stream. The results show an increase in DME production and CO conversion by permeation of hydrogen.

DME synthesis, Palladium based membrane, Fluidized bed membrane reactor, A two phase model, Simulation