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A B R KC K 0.5 Min: Tutorial 3

This document provides 4 tutorial problems and 2 supplementary problems related to modeling liquid phase reactions using continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) and plug flow reactors (PFRs) in series. The first 3 problems involve calculating conversions and reactor volumes for series CSTR and PFR configurations given rate expressions and operating conditions. The 4th problem involves minimizing the volume of a combined CSTR/PFR system. The supplementary problems involve calculating conversions for additional series reactor configurations.

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shikhar
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54 views

A B R KC K 0.5 Min: Tutorial 3

This document provides 4 tutorial problems and 2 supplementary problems related to modeling liquid phase reactions using continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) and plug flow reactors (PFRs) in series. The first 3 problems involve calculating conversions and reactor volumes for series CSTR and PFR configurations given rate expressions and operating conditions. The 4th problem involves minimizing the volume of a combined CSTR/PFR system. The supplementary problems involve calculating conversions for additional series reactor configurations.

Uploaded by

shikhar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tutorial 3

1. It is desired to perform an isothermal first order liquid phase reaction A → B in a series of three
CSTRs. The rate expression is given by −r A =k c A , with k =0.5 min−1 . The inlet volumetric flow rate
is 10 L/min. Find the volume of the three CSTRs such that the conversion at the exit of the 1 st, 2nd
and 3rd CSTR is 20%, 40%, and 60%, respectively. Discuss your result. The conversions are defined
with respect to the inlet of the 1 st reactor.

2. Repeat problem 1 above for 3 PFRs in series.

3. Consider an irreversible reaction A ⟶ B for which the reaction rate is given by −r A =k c 2A . This
reaction is to take place under isothermal conditions in a series of reactors comprising of a PFR and
a CSTR, both to operate at steady state.

There are two cases considered: the first one has a CSTR followed by a PFR, whereas in the other
case, the PFR is followed by a CSTR. Which case would result in a higher conversion? It is given that
the volumetric flow rate remains constant. The following are the symbols of various parameters:
Volume of PFR = VPFR, Volume of CSTR = VCSTR, Volumetric flow rate = v o, Inlet concentration of A =
CAo) The values are given as follows: CAo = 2 mol/m3, v o = 3 m3/s, k = 4 (mol/m3)-1s-1,VPFR = 1 m3, VCSTR =
1 m3.

Can you predict the answer without performing the calculations? What would be your answer if the
order of the reaction was −0.5 ? What would be your answer if the reaction order was 0.5?

4. It is required to conduct an isothermal liquid phase reaction A → B using a combination of one CSTR
and one PFR. The objective is to minimize the combined reactor volume of the system. The rate
CA
expression for the above reaction is given by −r A = . The inlet volumetric flow rate is 1
1+ 10C 2A
m3/s, whereas the inlet concentration is 1 mol/m 3. The conversion of A achieved at the exit of the
combined system is 0.8. Find the suitable configuration and the volume of each reactor used.

Supplementary problems

1. A first order liquid phase reaction A → B takes place in a CSTR of volume ‘V’ and 50% conversion of
the reactant ‘A’ is achieved. Another CSTR of the same volume is added in series to the existing
CSTR. Calculate the conversion at the outlet of the 2 nd CSTR, given that the conversion is defined
based on the inlet to the first CSTR. Note that the volumetric flow rate remains constant throughout
the reactor assembly.

2. A liquid phase reaction A → B is carried out at constant temperature in a CSTR followed by a PFR in
series. The overall conversion achieved by the system is 95%. The volume of CSTR is 75L. Pure A is
fed to the CSTR with a concentration of 2 mol/L and a volumetric flow rate of 4 L/min. The rate
2
expression is given as −r A =k c A with k=0.1 (mol/L-min)-1.
Find (i) the conversion of A obtained in the CSTR, (ii) volume of PFR, and (iii) the final conversion of
the system if the position of the reactors is interchanged.

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