Beyond equilibrium shift: Unveiling the kinetic promotion in a methanol steam reforming membrane reactor.

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Title: Beyond equilibrium shift: Unveiling the kinetic promotion in a methanol steam reforming membrane reactor.
Authors: Gu, Haoyuan1 (AUTHOR), Wang, Lisha1 (AUTHOR), Lei, Linfeng1,2 (AUTHOR) linfeng.lei@ecust.edu.cn, Zhu, Minghui1 (AUTHOR) minghuizhu@ecust.edu.cn, Xu, Zhi1 (AUTHOR) zhixu@ecust.edu.cn
Source: AIChE Journal. May2026, Vol. 72 Issue 5, p1-9. 9p.
Subjects: Membrane reactors, Chemical kinetics, Methoxy compounds, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Catalysts, Liquid membranes
Abstract: Membrane reactors (MRs) are widely recognized for enhancing thermodynamically limited reactions by continuously removing a product. However, how such in situ selective separation directly impacts intrinsic reaction kinetics and mechanisms has remained ambiguous and lacks direct spectroscopic evidence. Here, we address this fundamental question using a MR integrating a commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst with carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes for methanol steam reforming. The CMS membrane‐based MR exhibits a remarkable one‐fold enhancement in methanol conversion over a conventional reactor at 180°C, while simultaneously reducing CO selectivity by 61.3%. Crucially, in situ Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy provides direct evidence that this enhancement stems from a profound kinetic acceleration of the rate‐determining methoxy dehydrogenation step. This acceleration is driven by efficient removal of H2, which alleviates product inhibition on the catalyst's active sites. This work elucidates a powerful kinetic promotion mechanism, shifting the paradigm of membrane catalysis beyond its thermodynamic role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of AIChE Journal is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Beyond equilibrium shift: Unveiling the kinetic promotion in a methanol steam reforming membrane reactor.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22AIChE+Journal%22">AIChE Journal</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 72 Issue 5, p1-9. 9p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Membrane+reactors%22">Membrane reactors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chemical+kinetics%22">Chemical kinetics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Methoxy+compounds%22">Methoxy compounds</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fourier+transform+infrared+spectroscopy%22">Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Catalysts%22">Catalysts</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Liquid+membranes%22">Liquid membranes</searchLink>
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  Data: Membrane reactors (MRs) are widely recognized for enhancing thermodynamically limited reactions by continuously removing a product. However, how such in situ selective separation directly impacts intrinsic reaction kinetics and mechanisms has remained ambiguous and lacks direct spectroscopic evidence. Here, we address this fundamental question using a MR integrating a commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst with carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes for methanol steam reforming. The CMS membrane‐based MR exhibits a remarkable one‐fold enhancement in methanol conversion over a conventional reactor at 180°C, while simultaneously reducing CO selectivity by 61.3%. Crucially, in situ Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy provides direct evidence that this enhancement stems from a profound kinetic acceleration of the rate‐determining methoxy dehydrogenation step. This acceleration is driven by efficient removal of H2, which alleviates product inhibition on the catalyst's active sites. This work elucidates a powerful kinetic promotion mechanism, shifting the paradigm of membrane catalysis beyond its thermodynamic role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of AIChE Journal is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1002/aic.70257
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 9
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      – SubjectFull: Membrane reactors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Chemical kinetics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Methoxy compounds
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Catalysts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Liquid membranes
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Beyond equilibrium shift: Unveiling the kinetic promotion in a methanol steam reforming membrane reactor.
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            NameFull: Gu, Haoyuan
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            NameFull: Wang, Lisha
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            NameFull: Lei, Linfeng
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            NameFull: Zhu, Minghui
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            NameFull: Xu, Zhi
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            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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