Design for Multiple Reactions
Design for Multiple (Parallel) Reactions
• Reactor Sizing
• Product distribution
Ideal state:
– Minimum size
– Maximum product distribution
CA is controlling only
K and a are constants
Three conditions
Low CA-
•MFR
•High XA
•Increasing inert
High CA-
•PFR
•Low inerts
•Low XA
Summary
More than one Reactant
Contacting Patterns
Fractional yield
• If rate equations are known for the individual reactions, we
can quantitatively determine product distribution and reactor-
size requirements.
• Instantaneous-ϕ
• Over all- φ
For different Reactors
• For a given feed stream having CA0 should we use a PFR or a
MFR and should we use a high or low or some intermediate
conversion level for the exit stream if we wish to maximize
((S/A))? The reaction system is
where n1 n2 and n3 are the reaction orders of reactions 1, 2, and 3
reaction.
Series Reactors
For 90% conversion of A find the concentration of R in the product
stream. Equal volumetric flow rates of the A and of B streams are
fed to the reactor, and each stream has a concentration of 20
mol/liter of reactant. The flow in the reactor follows.
(a) Plug flow
(b) Mixed flow
(c) The best of the four plug-mixed contacting schemes
GOOD OPERATING CONDITIONS FOR
PARALLEL REACTIONS
Often a desired reaction is accompanied by a variety of undesired side reactions,
some of higher order, some of lower order. To see which type of single reactor gives
the best product distribution, consider the simplest typical case, the parallel
decompositions of A, CA0 = 2
Design for Multiple (Series)
Reactions
Rule 1. For Single Reactions
To minimize the reactor volume, keep the concentration as high as possible
for a reactant whose order is n > 0. For components where n < 0 keep the
concentration low.
Rule 2. For Reactions in Series
Consider reactions in series, as shown:
To maximize any intermediate, do not mix fluids that have different concentra-
tions of the active ingredients-reactant or intermediates.
Rule 3. For Parallel Reactions
Consider the parallel reactions with reaction orders ni
To get the best product distribution,
low CA, favors the reaction of lowest order
high CA, favors the reaction of highest order
If the desired reaction is of intermediate order then some
intermediate CA, will give the best product distribution. For
reactions all of the same order the product distribution is not
affected by the concentration level.
Rule 4. Complex Reactions
These networks can be analyzed by breaking them down into their simple
series and simple parallel components. For example, for the following
elementary reactions, where R is the desired product, the breakdown is as
follows:
Rule 5. Continuous versus Non-continuous Operations
Any product distribution that can be obtained in continuous
steady-state flow operations can be gotten in a non-flow operation
and vice versa.
Quantitative Treatment, Mixed Flow Reactor
Let us develop the concentration-time curves for this reaction when
it takes place in a mixed flow reactor. This may be done by referring
to Figure below
Quantitative Treatment, Mixed Flow Reactor
FIRST-ORDER FOLLOWED BY ZERO-ORDER
REACTION
The maximum concentration of
intermediate, CRmax and the time
when this occurs is found to be
Problem
• The reversible gas-phase decomposition of nitrogen tetroxide
N2O4 to nitrogen dioxide, NO2 is is to be carried out at
constant temperature. The feed consists of pure N2O4, at 340
K and 202.6 kpa (2 atm). The concentration equilibrium
constant (Kc) at 340 K is 0.1 mol/dm3
Elementary reversible liquid phase reaction A+B↔2C takes place in a CSTR
isothermally. Concentration of A and B are equimolar and conversion achieved was 60%
with an equilibrium conversion of 80%. What will be the new conversion if volumetric
feed rate increases by 1.5 times to the previous one, keeping all other conditions same
as previous?
An aqueous reactant stream (6 mol A/liter) passes through a mixed flow reactor followed
by a plug flow reactor. Find the conversion at the exit of the plug flow reactor if in the
mixed flow reactor CA = 1.5 mol/liter. The reaction is second-order with respect to A, and
the volume of the plug flow unit is three times that of the mixed flow unit.
Problem
• A well-mixed batch reactor is used for
performing the isothermal liquid phase reaction
Each reaction step is first order with respect to reactant A and
the initial concentration of A is 1.0 kmol/m3.
(1)Determine the yield of B with respect to A for any given initial
concentration.
(2)Determine the time required to achieve a 60% conversion of A
to B or C.
Problem
• The decomposition of phosphine in the gas phase
4PH3(g) →P4(g)+ 6H2 at 650°C is first order. The
specific rate is given by following relation. Determine
what size plug flow reactor, operating at 650°C and
5.0 atm, produces 85% conversion of the feed
consisting of 4 kg mol/h of pure phosphine per hour.
• Consider an aqueous feed of A and B (600 l/min, 150
mmol of A/l, 300 mmol of B/l) that is being
converted to product in a plug flow reactor. The
stoichiometry and rate equation are as follows. Find
the volume of the reactor needed for 95%
conversion of A to product.
