Iv-6 - Design of Chemical Reactors

Design of Chemical Reactors
Ways of processing a chemical transformation undergone into a fluid:

• in a single batch reactor;
• in a single semi-continuous reactor;
• constant/pre-programmed feed;
• constant/pre-programmed withdrawal;
• in a single flow reactor:
• perfectly mixed;
• plug flow;
• in a chain of reactors possibly with interstage feed injection or
heating;
• in a reactor with recycle of the product stream using various feed
ratios and conditions
• in a network of reactors;
• ….
June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 1
Factors to be considered
• reaction type;
• planned scale of production;
• cost of equipment and operations;
• safety;
• stability and flexibility of operation;
• equipment life expectancy;
• length of time that the product is expected to be manufactured;
• ease of convertibility of the equipment to modified operating
conditions or to new and different processes.

Selecting a reasonably good design is based upon:
• experience;
• engineering judgment;
• sound knowledge of the characteristics of the various reactor
systems
• thorough economic analysis of the over-all process, which will
dictate the final solution – the reaction system could not be optimal
but the over-all process should be.
The reaction system influences the process economics by:
• dictating the size of units needed (may well vary a hundredfold
among competing designs);
• fixing the products distribution (this is of prime consideration where it
can be varied and controlled).
Single Reaction Case
Single reaction chemical processes

The chemical process can be abstracted by a single stoichiometric
equation; its progress can be described and followed adequately by
using one and only one rate expression coupled with the necessary
equilibrium expressions.
For such reactions product distribution is fixed; hence, the important
factor in comparing designs is the reactor size.
The size comparison of various single and multiple ideal reactor
systems will give the possibility of choosing the best variant.

Single volume reactors

BR vs. CSTR or PFR
BR (batch reactor)
• advantages
• small instrumentation cost
• flexibility of operation
• disadvantages
• high labor and handling costs
• considerable shutdown time to empty, clean out, and refill
• poorer quality control of the product.
The BR is well suited to produce small amounts of material or many
different products from one piece of equipment.
For the chemical treatment of materials in large amounts the
continuous process is nearly always found to be more economical.
BR vs. CSTR
A   q Q, rA  k C An , V  ct
k
A performance comparison may be made in terms of the size of

vessel required in each case to achieve the same rate of production
for the same conversion at the same temperature and initial/inlet
composition.
q C A0 X Af VBR q C A0 X Af VBR
PQ , BR   PQ ,CSTR  FV q C A0 X Af  q rA  X Af  VCSTR
t  taux X Af
dX A 1 42 43
taux  C A0 
0
rA  X A 
CQ
X Af
dX A taux high CSTR
VBR
taux  C A0  rA  X A 
 0
VCSTR X Af
C A0 
rA  X Af  XAf high BR

BR vs. PFR
A   q Q, rA  k C An , V  ct
k
The performances of a BR and of a PFR are similar in many respects,

since an element of fluid, of arbitrary size, acts as a closed system
(i.e., a batch) in moving through a PFR. The residence time in a PFR,
the same for all elements of fluid, corresponds to the reaction time in
a BR, which is also the same for all elements of fluid. Depending on
conditions, these quantities, and other performance characteristics,
may be the same or different.
X
Af
For an isothermal first-order reaction taking
dX A place in a constant-volume BR but at varying
taux  C A0 
VBR rA  X A  density in a PFR, the time of reaction is equal
 0
VPFR D to the residence (space) time; this is not the

case for other orders of reaction.

PFR vs. CSTR
A   q Q, rA  k C An , V  ct
k
The comparison is made in terms of the size of vessel required in

each case to achieve the same rate of production for the same
conversion at the same temperature and inlet composition.
q VPFR X Af
PQ , PFR  FV q C A0 X Af  PQ ,CSTR  FV q C A0 X Af  q rA  X Af ,   VCSTR
1 42 43 X Af
dX A 1 42 43
CQ

0
rA  X A ,  
CQ
X Af
VCSTR rA  X Af ,    1   X Af 
 X Af
VPFR dX A

0
rA  X A ,  

PFR vs. CSTR

PFR vs. CSTR
1. For any particular duty and for all positive reaction orders the mixed
reactor is always larger than the plug flow reactor. The ratio of volumes
increases with order. For zero-order reactions reactor size is independent
of the type of flow.
2. When conversion is small, the reactor performance is only slightly
affected by flow type, the volume ratio approaching unity as conversion
approaches zero. The ratio increases very rapidly at high conversion;
consequently a proper representation of the flow becomes very important
in this range of conversion.
3. Density variation during reaction affects design; however, it is normally
of secondary importance compared to the difference in flow type.
Expansion (or density decrease) during reaction increases the volume
ratio, in other words, further decreases the effectiveness of the mixed
reactor with respect to the plug flow reactor; density increases during
reaction has the opposite effect.
PFR vs. CSTR
– second order reactions with variable composition
A + B → prod
It is usually more economical in

1
cost of reactants and
Any rate curve
equipment (reactor size) to use
rA ( X A , M BA ) unequal molar quantities of the
Area=τ CSTR/CA0
two active feed components.
This factor also influences the
Area=τ D/CA0 cost of separating products
from unused reactants. It is
important then to include the
XAi XA XAf molar feed ratio as a variable in
the search for optimum overall
operations.

The recycle reactor (RR)
In certain situations it is found to be advantageous to divide the
product stream from a plug flow reactor and return a portion of it to
the entrance of the reactor.
(F’A0 )
Plug flow
FA1
XA1
FA0 XA2 (β+1)Fvf Fvf
K Fv 1
Fv0 V
L
XAf
XA0 = 0
Fv r = βFvf
volume of fluid returned to the reactor entrance


volume leaving the system

Characteristic equation
X A 2  X Af
V dX A
FA0
 
X A1
rA  X A 
The flow entering the reactor includes both fresh feed and the
recycle stream. The recycled flow is measured at the split
point L
 A which would enter in an   A entering in 
FA0        FA0  FA0     1 FA0
 unconverted recycle stream   fresh feed 
1  C A1 / C A 0 FA1 FA 0  FAr  1    X A f 
X A1  C A1    CA0 
1   C A1 / C A0 FV 1 FV 0   FVf  1     X A f 

 
  
X A1   X A f
   1 

Characteristic equation
X Af
V dX A
    1 
FA 0   
rA  X A 
 X Af
  1 
For the special case where density changes are negligible

C Af
C A 0V dC A
 RR       1 
FA 0 C A 0   C Af rA  C A 
 1
 0  
X Af
V dX A V X Af
FA 0
 
0
rA
PFR 
FA 0 rAf  X Af 
CSTR




Multiple volume reactors

PFRs in Series and/or in Parallel
Consider N plug flow reactors connected in series, and let
XA1, XA2, . . . , XAN be the conversion of component A leaving
reactor 1, 2, . . . , N.
X
Vi Ai
dX A
 
FA0 X Ai1 rA  X A 
For the series of N reactors

N X X X X AN
V Vi A1
dX A A2
dX A AN
dX A dX A
     L    
FA0 i 1 FA0 X A 0 rA  X A  X A1 rA  X A  X AN 1 A 
r X A 0
rA  X A 
For parallel or any parallel-series combination – the system could be seen as a

single plug flow reactor of volume equal to the total volume if the feed is
distributed in such manner that fluid streams which meet have the same
composition. Thus for reactors in parallel  must be the same for each parallel
line. Any other way of feeding is usually less efficient.
Equal-size CSTRs in Series
Consider a system of N mixed C A,in
reactors connected in series. N >30
Though the concentration is

Plug flow
uniform in each reactor, there
is nevertheless a change in
Five mixed reactors, N = 5
concentration as fluid moves
from reactor to reactor.
This stepwise drop suggests Single mixed reactors, N = 1
that the larger the number of

units in series the closer C A,out
should the behavior of the Volume through
system approach plug flow.

C A0, XA0 = 0 C A1, XA1 C A2, XA2 CAi-1, XAi-1 C Ai, X Ai C AN-1 , XAN-1
FA0
1 2 i CAN , XAN
N
V0 , τ R0 V0, τR0 V0, τR0 V0 , τ R0
Density changes will be assumed to be negligible

(ε = 0). Also, the temperature of reaction will be
assumed the same for all reactors.
As a rule, with mixed reactors it is more convenient
to develop the necessary equations in terms of
concentrations rather than conversions.
First order processes
C A0V0 V0 C A0  X Ai  X Ai 1  C A0  X Ai  X Ai 1 
 R0    
FA0 FV ri  X Ai  k C Ai
Rewrite the equation, in terms of concentrations ratio:

C Ai 1
 1  k  R 0
C Ai
The CSTRs are equal, so they have the same residence time.
C A0 1 C C C
 A0 A1 L AN 1   1  k  R 0 
N

C AN 1  X AN C A1 C A 2 C AN
N   C  1N  N  1 C A0
 R  N R 0    A0   1 D  ln
k   C AN   k CA

30
(CA0n V / FA0)N reactors First order reaction
(CA0n V / FA0) plug N=1
k= 50
10 20
10
=
N=2
τRN
5
τRN =
N=3
=
N=4 2
τD
τRN
N=6 k= 1
N = 10
1 N=
0.01 0.1 1.0

1 - XA = CA / C A0

Second order processes A→prod; A+B→prod, MBA=1
C A0V0 V0 C A0  X Ai  X Ai 1  C A0  X Ai  X Ai 1 
 R0    
FA0 FV ri  X Ai  k C Ai2
Rewrite the equation for the first reactor in series:

C A1 
1
4k R 0
2  2 1  4C A0 k R 0 
Apply the same procedure, knowing that CSTRs are equal:

C AN 
1 
2  2
M  N 
4k R 0  1L  2 1  2 1  4C A0 k R 0 
 
C A0
Plug flow solution:  1  C A0 k D
CA
100
(CA02 V / FA0) D
(CA02 V / FA0)N
N =1
Second order reaction
kC A0τR = 1000
=
500
(τCA0)N
(τCA0)D
200
100
10
50
N=2
20
N=3 10
5
N=4
2
N=6
1
N = 10
1 N= (plug flow)
0.01 0.1 1.0

1 - XA = CA / CA0

Unequal-size CSTRs in Series
C A0, XA0 = 0 C A1, XA1 C A2, XA2 CAi-1, XAi-1 C Ai, X Ai C AN-1 , XAN-1
FA0
1 2 i CAN , XAN
N
V1 , τ R1 V2, τR2 Vi, τ Ri VN , τ RN
For arbitrary kinetics in CSTRs of different size two types of

questions may be asked:
• how to find the outlet conversion from a given reactor system
• how to find the best set-up to achieve a given conversion.
Different procedures are convenient for these two problems.

Finding the Conversion in a Given System
1 r C 
  A Ai
 Ri C Ai  C Ai 1
Rate versus
concentration M
rA
curve
r A(C A1) 1
Slope =
cA1-cA0= τR1
P
rA(C A2) 1
Slope = =
cA2-cA1 τR2
N L
C A3 CA2 CA1 CA0
Reactant concentration
Determining the Best System for a Given Performance
XA = 0 XA1 XA2 XA = 0 XA1 XA2

C A0 CA0
F A0 τR1 τ R2 τR1 τ R2
F A0
V1 V2 V1 V2
1 Arbitrary
r curve
K L K L
τR2 V2 Area measure of

= N M
cA0 F A0 first unit
N M Of second unit
0 XA1 XA2 0 XA1 XA2

τR1 V1
cA0 = FA0

Determining the Best System for a Given Performance
Diagonal of
1 rectangle
rA
K L
Maximum
area
Slope of
curve at M
N M
Second
First reactor reactor
area area
0 XA1 XA2 XA
Reactors of Different Types in Series
F A0
C A0 X A1 X A2 X A3
V2
X A0 = 0 V1 V3
V1 X  X A0
 A1
FA0 rA  X A1 
1
rA Rate conversion
dependent curve
X A2
V2 dX A
FA0
  r XA
X A1 A 
V3
V3 X  X A2 V2 FA0
 A3 V1
FA0 rA  X A3  FA0
FA0
X2
Best Arrangement of a Set of Ideal Reactors
1) For a reaction whose rate-concentration curve rises monotonically (any
nth-order reaction, n > 0) the reactors should be connected in series.
They should be ordered so as to keep the concentration of reactant as
high as possible if the rate-concentration curve is concave (n > 1), as
low as possible if the curve is convex (n < 1). For the previous case, the
ordering of units should be PFR, small CSTR, large CSTR; the reverse
ordering should be used when n < 1.
2) For reactions where the rate-concentration curve passes through a
maximum or minimum the arrangement of units depends on the actual
shape of curve, the conversion level desired, and the units available. No
simple rules can be suggested.
3) Whatever may be the kinetics and the reactor system, an examination of
the 1/rA versus CA curve is a good way to find the best arrangement of
units.

Autocatalytic reactions, A+R → R+R
In an autocatalytic reaction the rate at the start is low because
little product is present; it increases to a maximum as product
is formed and then drops again to a low value as reactant is
consumed.
rA 1
Some R rA
in feed
Point of
No R maximum
in feed rate
Progress
of reaction
Progress
of reaction
CA XA

PFR Versus CSTR, No Recycle
Plug
flow
Mixed flow
- r1A
Plug flow is better
Mixed flow is better Mixed and plug flow
equaly good
0 XAf 0 XAf 0 XAf
1. At low conversions the mixed reactor is superior to the plug

flow reactor.
2. At high enough conversions the plug flow reactor is superior.

Recycle Reactor
Recycle too Recycle just Recycle too
high right low
1
rA Average
rate
P K
K
Average Average
rate rate
P
K P
L L L
XA0 XAi XAf Q XA0 XAi XAf Q XA0 X Ai XAf Q
When material is to be processed to some fixed final conversion

XAf in a recycle reactor, reflection suggests that there must be
a particular recycle ratio β which is optimum in that it
minimizes the reactor volume or space-time.
Recycle Reactor
 
d   RR / C A 0  d   1
X Af

d
0   d 

 X Af rA  X A 
dX A  0
X Ai  
  1 
b  
dF  f  X A,   db da
  dX A  f  b,    f  a,  
d  a    d d
d   RR / C A 0  X Af
dX A   1 dX Ai 1. For conversions smaller
d
0  rA  X A 
0
rA X { d
than the point of maximum
X Ai Ai rate the CSTR performs better
X Af
  1 2
than any RR.
X Af
dX A 2. For conversions higher than
1
 rA  X A 
the point of maximum rate the

X Ai
RR with the proper β is better
rA X Ai
X Af  X Ai to either PFR or CSTR
Multiple reactions chemical processes

Multiple Reactions Case
Multiple reactions chemical processes

When a multiple reactions chemical process should be done at
industrial scale, both the size requirement and the distribution of
reaction products are affected by the pattern of flow within the
reactors network (the distinction between single reaction and
multiple reactions is that the former requires only one rate
expression to describe its kinetic behavior whereas the latter require
more than one rate expression).
In general, all multiple reactions can be abstracted as combinations of
two primary types: parallel and series reactions, so these two primary
reaction types are the building blocks or components for more
involved reaction schemes, the series-parallel reactions.

Multiple reactions chemical processes:
• It is more convenient to deal with concentrations than conversions
or, better, with degree of advancements;
• In examining product distribution the procedure is to eliminate the
time variable by dividing one rate equation by another, getting
equations relating the rates of change of certain components with
respect to other components of the system → two distinct
analyses (a – reactor size, b – product distribution);
• The two requirements, small reactor size and maximization of
desired product, may run counter to each other (an economic
analysis will yield the best compromise). Generally, product
distribution controls;
• The volume change is ignored (ε = 0). This means that the terms
mean residence time, reactor holding time, space time, and
reciprocal space velocity are interchangeable.

Product Distribution and Reactor Size – Quantitative Treatment
1) the instantaneous fractional yield of R

moles R formed dCR
' 
moles A reacted  dC A
2) the over-all fractional yield of R

all R formed CRf  CR 0 CR f  CR 0
     in reactor
all A reacted C A0  C Af C A
PFR
C Af
CSTR
1
D  
C A C A 0
 dC A 
 R  evaluated at C Af
C Af
 d PFR  1
C A CA 0
CSTR   &  PFR  CSTR dC A
 dC A  at C Af

CRf  CR 0    C A0  C Af 
Plug flow Mixed
Staged reactors
flow
η’ CRf C Rf CRf
CAf CA0 (- ∆ CA) CAf CA2 C A1 CA0

The contacting pattern with the largest area produces most R
CSTR up to CA1 then

PFR is best CSTR is best
PFR is best
CR, PFR CR, CSTR
η' η' η'

CR, PFR PFR CSTR
CR,CSTR
CR, total
CAf CA0 CAf CA0 CAf CA1 CA0

a) b) c)

BR vs. PFR A  R 
k1
 S
k2
Replacing reaction time by the space time, the equations relating

concentration with time, valid for BR, apply equally well for PFR.
CA
C A0
k 
e 1
CR

k1
C A0 k2  k1
k  k 
e 1 e 2   CS  C A 0  C A  C R
The maximum concentration of intermediate and time at which it occurs
k2 /  k2  k1 
CR , max  k  ln  k2 / k1 
 1   opt 
C A0  k2  k2  k1

BR vs. PFR A  R 
k1
 S
k2
1 1
CA A R S CA
CA 0
0.8 CA0 Plug flow
0.1
CB k2 CS
0.6
CA0
for
k1
=0 0.1
C/CA0
C A0
k2
0.4 Locus of CR, max =1
k1
0.2 CR
1 C A0
10 10
0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1
k1τ XA = 1 - CA/CA0

CSTR A  R 
k1
 S
k2
Writing the mass balance for each species of interest, for the whole
CSTR, their dependencies upon residence time are found.
CA 1 CR k1 CSTR CS k1k2 CSTR
2
  
C A0 1  k1 CSTR C A0  1  k1 CSTR   1  k2 CSTR  C A0  1  k1 CSTR   1  k2 CSTR 
The maximum concentration of intermediate and time at which it occurs
CR ,max 1 1
 2  opt 
C A0   k2 / k1  1/ 2  1 k1k2
 

CSTR A  R 
k1
 S
k2
1 1
CA k2
CA for =0 A R S
CA0 k1 Mixed flow CA
0.8 CA0 C A0
0.6 0.1 0.1

C/CA0
0.4 Locus of CR, max CS

C A0
k2 =1
0.2 CR k1 0
1 C A0 1
10
0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1
k1τ XA = 1 - CA/CA0

Parallel reactions
Homework!

Non-ideal flow & the performance

of the chemical reactors

Non-ideal Flow
Micro-mixing Use flow models developed

based on tracer experiments
Ideal zones network

Time scale
of mixing Axial dispersion
Macro-mixing Use directly the age distribution function

computed from tracer experiments
 
C A   CA , element  t  E  t  dt   CA , element    E    d
0 0

Non-ideal Flow: Micro-mixing (microfluid)
Ideal zones network
Cholette – Cloutier Model
The chemical process

(1-β)∙FV, Overall Volume V
CA0 A  P
k
rA  k C An
FV, XAR β∙FV, FV,
m
Steps in design:
CA0 α∙V XAR XA
2. Apply CSTR characteristic
Active Zone equation to the active zone
3. Take the mass balance in
the mixing point, m
Dead Zone
4. Write the residence time
with respect to the reactor
performance
Apply CSTR characteristic equation to the active zone
VR X AR  X Ain X AR 1 X AR
R   C A0  C A0 
FVR rA  X AR  k C An 0  1  X AR 
n
k C An 01  1  X AR  n
 V 1 X AR

 FV k C An 01  1  X AR  n
Take the mass balance in the mixing point, m
 1    FV C A0   FV C A0  1  X AR   FV C A0  1  X A 
X
X AR  A

Write the residence time with respect to the reactor performance
V 1 XA
 
FV  k C An 01  XA 
n
 1  
 
Axial Dispersion Model
Closed vessel The chemical process

Plug flow, Plug flow,
Dg = 0 Dg = 0 A  P
k
rA  k C An
Steps in design:
2. Write the mass balance for
dispersion zone, taking into
Change in flow pattern at
boundaries account the chemical process
3. Write the boundary conditions
4. Solve analytically or numerically
the model

Write the mass balance for dispersion zone, taking into account the chemical process
CA0 CA,l CA,l + ∆ l CAf
l=0 ∆l l=L
A entering by A leaving by
bulk flow bulk flow
A entering by A leaving by
dispersion dispersion
Accumulation of A
Cross - sectional (= 0 for steady state )
area = S
Disappearance of A
The material balance for reactant A reads:
 out-in  bulk flow   out-in  axial dispersion  dissapearance by reaction  accumulation=0

The individual terms are as follows, in moles A/time:
 moles A   volumetric   moles A   flow   cross-sectional 

entering by bulk flow=   =     =C A,l uS
 volume   flow rate   volume   velocity   area 
leaving by bulk flow  C A,l l uS
dN A  dC A 
entering by axial dispersion     DL S 
dt  dl l
dN A  dC A 
leaving by axial dispersion     DL S 
dt  dl  l l
dissapearance by reaction  rA V  rA S l
Note the inclusion of two dispersion terms, because material enters and leaves
the differential section not only by bulk flow but by dispersion as well

Entering individual terms and dividing by S∙∆l gives:
  dC A   dC A  

u
 C A,l l  C A ,l 
 DL
  dl 

 
 l l  dl  l 
 rA  0
l l
Taking the limits as ∆l→0 reads:
d 2C A dC A
DL 2
 u  kC A 0
n
dl dl
The dimensionless form is:
DL d 2 X A dX A  z l L
 k C A 0  1  X A   0 
n 1 n

dz 1 2 3    L u  V FV
2
uL dz
{ *
Dg 

Analytical solution for first order processes and closed
vessels:  dX A
 z  0  0  X A  Dg
d 2 X A dX A  dz
Dg  2    * 1 X A   0 
dz dz  dX A
z 1 0
 dz
The solution is of the form: m1 & m2 given as solutions of
the characteristic equation
1  X A  A1 e m1 z  A2 e m2 z Dg m 2  m   *  0
m1,2 
1
2 Dg
 
1  1  4  * Dg 
1
2 Dg
 1 a 
  1 a  z  1 a  z 
X A  1   A1 e 2 Dg
 A2 e 2 Dg

 

A1 and A2 result from boundary conditions – first take the derivative
 A1  1  a   1 a  z  1 a  z 
d XA A2  1  a 
  e 2 Dg
 e 2 Dg

dz  2 Dg 2 Dg 
Then solve the system:

  A1  1  a  A2  1  a  
 1   A1  A2   Dg    0
  2 Dg 2 Dg 
 A1  1 a  A2  1 a 
 A1  1  a  2Dg
A2  1  a  2Dg
 e  e 0
 2 Dg 2 Dg
1
4 a e 2 Dg
1 X A z 1
 a a

 1 a    1 a  e
2 2 Dg 2 2 Dg
e



Iv-6 - Design of Chemical Reactors

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Design of Chemical Reactors

Ways of processing a chemical transformation undergone into a fluid:

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 2

Single reaction chemical processes

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 4

Single volume reactors

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 5

A performance comparison may be made in terms of the size of

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 7

The performances of a BR and of a PFR are similar in many respects,

VPFR D to the residence (space) time; this is not the

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 8

The comparison is made in terms of the size of vessel required in

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 9

PFR vs. CSTR

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 10

It is usually more economical in

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 12

volume of fluid returned to the reactor entrance

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 13

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 14

For the special case where density changes are negligible

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 15

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 16

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 17

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 18

Multiple volume reactors

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 19

For the series of N reactors

For parallel or any parallel-series combination – the system could be seen as a

Consider a system of N mixed C A,in

reactors connected in series. N >30

Though the concentration is

that the larger the number of

should the behavior of the Volume through

system approach plug flow.

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 21

V0 , τ R0 V0, τR0 V0, τR0 V0 , τ R0

Density changes will be assumed to be negligible

Rewrite the equation, in terms of concentrations ratio:

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 23

0.01 0.1 1.0

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 24

Rewrite the equation for the first reactor in series:

0.01 0.1 1.0

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 26

V1 , τ R1 V2, τR2 Vi, τ Ri VN , τ RN

For arbitrary kinetics in CSTRs of different size two types of

Different procedures are convenient for these two problems.

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 27

XA = 0 XA1 XA2 XA = 0 XA1 XA2

τR2 V2 Area measure of

0 XA1 XA2 0 XA1 XA2

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 29

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 32

June 5, 2008 FILS – Chemical Reactors 33

0 XAf 0 XAf 0 XAf

1. At low conversions the mixed reactor is superior to the plug