OP-II-3

PL-6towards the development of a predictive approach, able to overcome the trial anderror one, is necessary to significantly advance the field. The development ofmembranes specifically designed to answer bioreactor needs is necessary as well.The converging of technologies such as genetic engineering, bioprocess design,molecular modelling, biochemical engineering, electronic engineering will promoteinnovative solutions to face the need of precise, selective, clean, safe, low energyconsumption and eco-friendly processes, such as biochemical membrane reactors.The development of catalytic membrane reactors for high temperatureapplications became realistic more recently, with the development of hightemperature resistant membranes. However, besides fuel cells, so far, no hightemperature membrane reactor in operation on a productive scale is reported in theopen literature.Typical examples of chemical reactions with inorganic membrane reactorsinclude dehydrogenation, where hydrogen is removed, oxidation and hydrogenation,where oxygen and hydrogen are added, partial oxidation, isomerization andesterification. Membrane reactors can be particularly advantageous for sequentialendothermic and exothermic reactions, by using the product extraction to promoteheat transfer, with the net result of smaller reactors, lower capital costs, and oftenfewer side-reactions.In general, nowadays the attention towards membrane reactors is increasingsignificantly. Drivers of this interest include the need of technologies enablingsustainable production, directives and regulations about the use of eco-friendlytechnologies, consumer demand of high quality and safe products, public concernabout environment, stakeholders confidence in and acceptance of advancedtechnologies.Current initiatives recognize that a sustainable solution to the increasing demandof goods and energy is in the rational integration and implementation of newtechnologies able to achieve concrete benefits of manufacturing and processing,substantially increasing process precision, reducing equipment size, saving energy,reducing costs, minimizing environmental impact. Membrane reactors best suit in thiscontext as their basic aspects well satisfy the requirements of process intensificationfor a sustainable industrial production. In fact, they are precise and flexibleprocessing techniques, able to maximize phase contact, integrate conversion andseparation processes, with improved efficiency and with significant lower energyrequirement compared to conventional techniques.20