Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Chandkheda, Ahmedabad
Affiliated
Academic year
(2016-2017)
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Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................3
3. References ..........................................................................................................10
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1. Introduction
In chemical Engineering chemical reactors are vessels designed to contain chemical reactions.
Also referred to as a reaction vessel, the reactants contained are substances that changes from after
a chemical reaction.
The reactors used for water treatment can be categorized based on the operation pattern, hydraulic
characteristics, unit operation occurring, and entrance/exit conditions.
Reactors used for carrying out chemical or physical reactions can be characterized as ideal or non
ideal, according to the nature of the hydraulic and mixing conditions. In contrast with non ideal
reactor, ideal reactors are assumed to have uniform mixing and hydraulic conditions, depending
on the specific reactor configurations [2].
There are three main basic models used to estimate the most important process variables of
different chemical reactors:
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2. Reactors of Different type in series
Many times reactors are connected in series so that exit stream of one reactor serves as the feed
stream for another reactor (next reactor). We can have either same type of reactors in series or
different type of reactors in series and that too with equal or unequal sizes [2].
2.1 CSTR-PFR-CSTR in series
2.2 PFR-CSTR-PFR in series
2.1 CSTR-PFR-CSTR in series
Consider a system of reactors in series as shown in figure 1.1 in which a mixed flow reactors/CSTR
is followed by a Plug Flow Reactor(PFR) which in turn is followed by another mixed flow reactor
[2]
.
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Fig.1.2 Graphical design procedure for CSTR-PFR-CSTR in series
For the rector sequence shown in figure 1.2 the relationships between conversion and molar
flowrates are given by the following equation.
1 = 0 0 1 = 0 (1 1 )
Similarly,
2 = 0 (1 2 )
3 = 0 (1 3 )
Where,
2, .., 2
2 =
A material balance (on mole basis) of reactant A for the mixed flow reactor at the end of our reactor
system Gives,
In =Out + Disappearance
2 = 3 + (3 ) 3
Rearranging gives
2 3
3 =
()3
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Substituting for 2 and 3 , the above equation becomes
0 (12 ) 0 (13 )
3 =
()3
3 3 2
= . (1)
0 ()3
1 1 0
= ... (2)
0 ()1
2
= 2 . (3)
0 1 ()
1 is the conversion from the first order , 2 is the intermediate conversion and 3 is the overall
conversion of A.
These relationships are represented in graphical form in figure 1.2. this allows us to predict the
overall conversion for such system, or conversion at intermediate points between the individual
reactors. These intermediate conversions may be needed to determine the duty of inter-stage heat
exchangers.
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),
and as low as possible if the curve is convex (n<1). As an example, for the case of figure 1.2
the ordering of units should be plug, small mixed, large mixed, for n>1; the reserve order
should be used when n<1.
2. For reaction 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.
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3. Whatever may be the kinetics and the reactor system, an examination of the 1() vs.
[1]
curve is a good way to find the best arrangement of units .
Fig. 1.3 PFR followed by CSTR followed by PFR (PFR CSTR-PFR in series)
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For the rector sequence shown in figure 1.3 the relationships between conversion and molar
flowrates are given by the following equation.
1 = 0 0 1 = 0 (1 1
Similarly,
2 = 0 (1 2 )
3 = 0 (1 3 )
Where,
2, .., 2
2 =
A material balance (on mole basis) of reactant A for the mixed flow reactor at the end of our reactor
system Gives,
In =Out + Disappearance
1 = 2 + (2 ) 2
Rearranging gives
1 2
2 =
()2
0 (11 ) 0 (12 )
2 =
()2
2 2 1
= ..(1)
0 ()2
1
= 1 ..(2)
0 0 ()
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3
= 3 . ..(3)
0 2 ()
Consider two different reactors in series: a CSTR connected to a PFR. There are two ways in which
these reactors can be put in series as shown in figure 1.5
(a) Scheme-I
(b) Scheme-II
If the size of each rectors is fixed then a different final conversion, (2 ), will be obtained based on
whether the CSTR or the PFR is placed first. If the intermediate and overall conversion are the
fixed, then the individual reactor volumes as well as total volume can be different for different
arrangements. [2]
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3. References
[1] Chemical Reaction Engineering by OCTAVE LEVENSPIEL, 3rd edition, Wiley publications.
[2] Chemical reaction Engineering-1 by K.A. GAVHANE, Revised edition, Nirali Prakashan.
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