Heterogeneous catalysts with ultrafine or nano particle size have currently attracted considerable attentions in the chemical and petrochemical production processes

but their large-scale applications remain challenging because of difficulties associated with their efficient separation from the reaction slurry. A porous ceramic membrane reactor has emerged as a promising method to solve the problem concerning catalysts separation in situ from the reaction mixture and make the production process continuous in heterogeneous catalysis. This article presents a review of the present progress on porous ceramic membrane reactors for heterogeneous catalysis

which covers classification of configurations of porous ceramic membrane reactor

major considerations and some important industrial applications. A special emphasis is paid to major considerations in term of application-oriented ceramic membrane design

optimization of ceramic membrane reactor performance and membrane fouling mechanism. Finally

brief concluding remarks on porous ceramic membrane reactors are given and possible future research interests are also outlined.