ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a brief summary on the fundamental idea of the membrane reactor and its different applications. The necessity of introducing the membrane reactor and catalytic membrane reactor system over the conventional reactor systems is also discussed. The basic functions of catalytic membrane reactors, based on different configurations, modes of operations (extractor, distributor, and active contactor), different flow patterns, advantages, and various applications along with the research problems, are presented precisely. A literature review related to the fabrication of catalytic membranes and their applications are also discussed in detail. Catalytic membrane reactors are compared to conventional reactors. Possible scope for further improvement in the fabrication of catalytic membranes and membrane reactors is also specified. Additionally, brief information about the recent reputation of different membrane contactors, such as membrane distillation, membrane crystallizer, membrane emulsifier, membrane extractor, and phase transfer catalysis, is also presented.
