OICC Press Iranian Journal of Catalysis 2345-4865 12 4 2023 12 22 Improvement of Isopropyl Propionate Esterification Reaction using a Vapor Permeation Membrane Reactor 10.30495/ijc.2022.1955435.1923 EN Elham Ameri Department of Chemical Engineering, Islamic Azad University Shahreza Branch, Shahreza, Iran Ahmad Moheb Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. Journal Article 2023 12 22 In this study, a vapor permeation-integrated heterogeneous catalytic esterification reaction was investigated to improve the ester conversion of propionic acid and isopropanol. The reaction was carried out using Amberlyst 15 (Rohm & Haas) as a catalyst with different weight fractions of 3%, 4%, 10%, and 12% wt. relative to propionic acid. A hydrophilic PERVAP®2201 membrane (Sulzer) was used to remove water vapor from the glass reactor. Different molar ratios (1:1, 1.5:1, and 3:1) of alcohol to acid were used in the feed mixture. Applying the coupled membrane system, using 12wt.% of catalyst, increased the acid conversion from 39% (when no membrane was employed) to nearly 90% for three hours after the beginning of the process.     Highlights Applying Amberlyst 15 (Rohm & Haas) as catalyst and hydrophilic PERVAP®2201 membrane (Sulzer) in a bench scale vapor permeation apparatus. Coupling of the chemical reaction with the vapor permeation process Increase ester conversion in vapor permeation-aided heterogeneous catalytic esterification reaction