Porous alumina membranes were perpared by the sol-gel process and were characterized by DSC, TGA SEM, nitrogen adsorption and gas permeation test. The results showed that the membranes thus prepared were uniform and crack-free, with a narrow distribution of pore sizes. The catalytic dehydrogenation of methanol were carried out in a reactor incorporated the alumina membrane and the conversion of methanol was found to be remarkably increased compared to that in a conversion of reactor. Atso, for the first time, the catalytic compositions were deposited onto the porous alumina membranes by the sol-gel process and thus catalytic porous membranes were obtained and their catalytic activities were investigated. The characteristics of the two kinds of porous membranes (catalytic and non-catalytic) and the palladium/ceramic membrane were compared as they were in a membrane reactor.

Key words: SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY, ALUMINIUM OXIDE, METHANOL, FORMALDEHYDE, DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY, SOL-GEL PROCESS, POROUS BARRIER