Fabrication and modeling of catalytic membrane for removing water in esterification

In this study, homogeneous catalyst “poly(styrenesulfonic acid)” and crosslinking agent “3-amino propyl methyl diethoxy silane” were added into the Polyvinyl alcohol to prepare the catalytic composite membrane (CCM). And the separation layer was prepared by blending polyvinyl alcohol and sodium alginate. Poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA) loaded CCM have been used to synthesize ethyl propionate in a pervaporation catalytic membrane reactor. The CCM was characterized by the SEM, FTIR and XRD. The pervaporation and catalytic performance of CCM were investigated under varying conditions (mass ratio of PSSA to PVA, 3-amino propyl methyl diethoxy silane content, heat treatment time). When the mass ratio of PSSA to PVA was 5:5, content of SCA-A10F was 20.0% to PSSA, the esterification conversion reached 91.6% after 12 h. The permeation flux and separation factor were 260 g m−2 h−1 and 91 respectively. Then the reaction kinetic model and separation kinetic model were established by Python least square method for the first time. Meanwhile, the theoretical maximum conversion curve and the PV coupling model conversion curve were proposed by combining the two models. It was found that the conversion of the actual coupling reaction was between the two model curves.