Theory

Ideal steady-state flow reactor is called the mixed reactor, the back
mix reactor, the ideal stirred tank reactor, the C* (meaning C-star), CSTR,
or the CFSTR (constant flow stirred tank reactor), and as its names
suggest, it is a reactor in which the contents are well stirred and uniform
throughout. Thus, the exit stream from this reactor has the same
composition as the fluid within the reactor. We refer to this type of flow as
mixed flow.

If FA0, =oCAo is the molar feed rate of component A to the reactor, then
considering the reactor as a whole we have

Introducing these three terms into balance equation, we obtain

Which will becomes

Or

where XA and rA are measured at exit stream conditions, which are the
same as the conditions within the reactor.

Graphical representation of these CSTR performance equations-

EQUAL SIZE OF CSTR IN SERIES

Consider a system of N mixed flow reactors connected in series. Though
the concentration is uniform in each reactor, there is, nevertheless, a
change in concentration as fluid moves from reactor to reactor. This
stepwise drop in concentration suggests that the larger the number of
units in series, the closer should the behaviour of the system approach
plug flow.

First-Order Reactions. From a material balance for component A about

vessel i gives

Because = 0 this may be written in terms of concentrations. Hence,

Now the space-time (or mean residence time t) is the same in all the
equal size reactor of volume Vi. Therefore

Rearranging, we find for the system as a whole

In the limit, for N , this equation reduces to the plug flow equation

Second order reaction

Schematic Diagram of 3 CSTR in series

Effect of Temperature on Rate of Reaction

The rate of reaction will be increase as the temperature is increase.

This is caused if we heat a substance, the particles will move faster and
collide frequently. This will increase the rate of reaction. Collisions
between molecules will be more violent at higher temperatures. The
higher temperatures mean higher velocities. This means there will be less
time between collisions. The frequency of collisions will increase. The
increased number of collisions and the greater violence of collisions result
in more effective collisions. The rate for the reaction increases.

Procedure
Experiment: Batch Reactor Experiment
Reactant Preparation Procedure
1. 0.05 M NaOH and 0.05 M Ethyl Acetate solutions is prepared in two
separate 20 liter feed tanks.
2. The concentration of 0.1 M NaOH solution is to be confirmed by
titrating a small amount of it with 0.1 M HCl using phenolphthalein
as indicator. The concentration of ethyl acetate solution is evaluated
by the following manner. First, 0.1 M NaOH solution is added to a
sample of the feed solution such that the 0.1 M NaOH solution is in
excess to ensure all of the ethyl acetate has reacted. This mixture is
let to be reacting overnight. On the following day, the amount of
unreacted NaOH is determine by direct titration with standard 0.1 M
HCl. The ethyl acetate real concentration is then recorded.
3. 1 liter of quenching solution of 0.25 M HCl and 1 liter of 0.1 M NaOH
is prepared for back titration.

Batch Reaction Procedure

1. The overflow tube in the reactor is adjusted to give a desired
working volume (2.5L). The pump P1 is switched on and 1.25L of the
0.1M ethyl acetate is pumped from the feed tank into the reactor.
The pump P1 is stopped.
2. The pump P2 is switched on and 1.25L of the 0.1 M NaOH is pumped
into the reactor. The pump P2 is stopped when 2.5L volume is
reached. The stirrer is switched on and the speed is set to be 180
rpm. Immediately, the timing of the reaction is recorded.
3. 10mL of 0.25 M HCl is quickly measured in a flask
4. After 1 minute of reaction, the valve V7 is opened. 50mL sample is
then collected and added immediately to the 10mL of 0.25 M HCl
prepared in step 3 and let to be mixed. The HCl will quench the
reaction between ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide.
5. The mixture is then titrated with 0.1 M NaOH to evaluate the
amount of unreacted HCl.
6. Steps 3 to 5 is repeated for reaction times 5,10,15,20 and 25
minutes

Apparatus
1. Continuous stirred tank reactor
2. Stopwatch

3. Beaker
4. Pipet
5. Volumetric cylinder
6. Solution : 0.1 NaOH
7. Ethyl acetate
8. 0.25 HCl
9. Sodium hydroxide
10.
Phenolphthalein

Reference
1 Mark E. Davis and Robert J. Davis, Fundamentals of chemical
reaction engineering, 1st edition, McGraw Hill Company,2003,
page 70-71
2 J. F. Richardson and D.G. Peacock, chemical engineering, 3rd
editon, 1994, Elsevier Science Inc. New York, page 43
3 Missen and Co., Introduction to Chemical engineering and
Kinetics, 1st edition, 1999, John Wiley and Sons, New York City,
pp 336-337.
4 (http://:en.wilkepidia.org/wilk 2/12/08)
5 Levenspiel, O, Chemical Reaction Engineering, John Wiley,
1972
6 Robert H.Perry, Don W.Green, Perrys Chemical Engineers
Handbook, McGraw Hill,1998.
7 Smith,J.M, Chemical Engineering Kinetics, McGraw Hill, 1981.