Practice Lab 3 - Linear Algebra Using Python
Practice Lab 3 - Linear Algebra Using Python
Consider the following mixing process. This is a common chemical engineering scenario which
arise when you have multiple reactors in series and/or parallel. Though in our case we are not
considering any sort of reaction happening to make the system simpler.
Here Q01, Q12, Q13, Q22, Q32, Q34, Q41, and Q44 denote the volumetric flowrates and CO1, C1,
C2, C3 and C4 denote the initial concentration and concentrations in mixer 1, 2, 3 and 4
respectively. To develop the sets of linear equations, we will have to write a mass balance
equation across each of these mixers.
Remember, as per mass balance, Mass in = Mass out. i.e. if a mass balance is written across the
first mixer then Q01*CO1 + Q41*C4 = Q12*C1 + Q13*C1. As you can see, there are 4 unknown
variables, so to make the system solvable there should be 4 sets of linear equation.