Coupled PermSMBR – Process design and development for 1,1-dibutoxyethane production

In this work, a new configuration of the simulated moving bed membrane reactor (PermSMBR) technology is presented, the coupled PermSMBR, where the tubular membranes are located after fixed-bed columns packed with the catalyst/adsorbent. By this way the membranes are not in contact with the solid, which from an industrial point of view is easier to implement since the process of membranes installation/replacement and clean-up is simpler than in the previous considered set-up (tubular membranes packed with the catalyst/adsorbent – integrated PermSMBR). The 1,1-dibutoxyethane production is used, as an example, and the features of the new “coupled PermSMBR” and the previous set-up (integrated PermSMBR) are discussed. The coupled PermSMBR revealed to be a very attractive solution for the sustainable 1,1-dibutoxyethane production, proved by the high productivity and low desorbent consumption obtained within the studied conditions.