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Chemical Reactor Types: 1. Fundamental Types of Chemical Reactors 2. PFR Types and Configurations

This document discusses different types of chemical reactors. It describes two fundamental reactor types: the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and the tubular plug flow reactor (PFR). PFRs are commonly used due to their simple design and ability to achieve narrow residence time distributions. The document outlines different configurations for PFRs, including single-stage adiabatic reactors, multistage reactors with heat exchange, and polytropic reactors with a jacket for heat transfer through the pipe wall. References are provided for further reading on chemical reaction engineering and catalytic fixed bed reactors.

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93 views2 pages

Chemical Reactor Types: 1. Fundamental Types of Chemical Reactors 2. PFR Types and Configurations

This document discusses different types of chemical reactors. It describes two fundamental reactor types: the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and the tubular plug flow reactor (PFR). PFRs are commonly used due to their simple design and ability to achieve narrow residence time distributions. The document outlines different configurations for PFRs, including single-stage adiabatic reactors, multistage reactors with heat exchange, and polytropic reactors with a jacket for heat transfer through the pipe wall. References are provided for further reading on chemical reaction engineering and catalytic fixed bed reactors.

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WancianSia
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chemical Reactor Types

JO RG SAUER, IKFT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany


NICOLAUS DAHMEN, IKFT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
EDMUND HENRICH, IKFT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany

1. Fundamental Types of Chemical Reactors 1 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2


2. PFR Types and Configurations . . . . . . . 1

1. Fundamental Types of Chemical 2. PFR Types and Configurations


Reactors
PFRs are usually chosen due to their narrow
Tubular plug flow reactor (PFR) and continuous RTD and their simple design and fabrication.
stirred tank reactor (CSTR) are the two funda- The large wall area to reactor volume ratios,
mental types of continuously operated chemical especially for small pipe diameters, assists heat
reactors (Fig. 1). Their essential characteristics transfer. Small diameters are also well suited
are compared in Table 1. for high pressures. However, the volumes of
For all positive reaction orders, the volume PFRs are usually relatively small and suited
of the CSTR is larger than the volume of the only for fast reactions with residence times
PFR for the same conversion. The reactor vol- from about 0.1 s up to a maximum of ca.
ume ratios increase with the reaction order m 100 s. Disadvantages of PFRs are the possibility
and the conversion X. Reactor performance of a larger pressure drop and a more complex
equations for the CSTR and the PFR for process control.
reactions of mth order are tabulated in [1, p. The PFR types are divided into adiabatic
111112]. Reactor performance equations are and polytropic PFRs either with or without
relations between the rate r and extent X of a heat exchange through the tube wall. Multi-
reaction, the reaction volume V and the feed tubular configurations, either adiabatic or pol-
rate dc/dt. ytropic, are typical configurations for higher
A homogeneously operated tubular reactor capacities in technical facilities. The adiabatic
[2, p. 427452] is a straight, bent, or coiled slim reactors comprise the simple, single-stage
cylinder with an inner diameter d, length L, and base case and some multistage configurations
an aspect ratio (L/d) of usually > 30. The mean with heat exchange prior to each individual
residence time (MRT) of a reaction mixture is stage. The nonadiabatic or polytropic PFRs
calculated for homogenous operation by. are types with coolant surrounding the pipe
MRT t L=u. wall and heat transfer through the pipe wall
The densities r and the specific heat per mass surface area, which can be achieved with a
of a liquid remain approximately constant jacketed or radiation-heated PFR. Tubular
despite changes of temperature T and concentra- PFRs share many common aspects with cata-
tions ci of species i during conversion. If gases lytic fixed bed reactors e.g., in view to phys-
are involved the corresponding volume changes ico-chemical description and configuration
between inlet and outlet must be considered. [2, p. 493637, 3].

# 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim


10.1002/14356007
2 Chemical Reactor Types

Figure 1. A) Continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR); B) Tubular plug flow reactor (PFR)

Table 1. Comparison of CSTR and PFR

CSTR PFR

Design L/d ratio 12 2510 000


Pressure drop negligible significant
Flow pattern turbulent turbulent
Fast mixing axial and radial radial
Mean residence time long short
Residence time distribution exponential Gaussian
Flow problems short cuts, dead volume dead volume
Dynamic response to disturbance immediate delayed

3 G. Eigenberger: Catalytic fixed bed reactors, in G. Ertl,


References H. Knozinger, F. Schuth, J. Weitkamp (eds.): Handbook of
1 O. Levenspiel (ed.): Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd ed., Heterogeneous Catalysis, vol. 4, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim 2008,
Wiley, New York 1999. p. 20752106.
2 G.F. Froment, K.B. Bischoff, J. De Wilde (eds.): Chemical
Reactor Analysis and Design, 3rd ed., Wiley, New York 2011.

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