CHOICE OF REACTOR

Idealized Reactor Models

IDEALIZED REACTOR MODELS

Ideal Batch Reactor
Continuous well-stirred
model
Plug-flow model
Series of continuous
well-stirred reactors
approaches plug-flow

CHOICE OF IDEALIZED REACTOR

MODEL
1.SINGLE REACTIONS

FEED PRODUCT

r=kCFEEDa

Highest rate of reaction is maintained by

the highest concentration of feed
Mixed feed reactor- incoming feed diluted with the product - decreasing the
rate of the reaction - also requires
greater volume
An ideal batch reactor or plug flow
reactor is preferred

2.MULTIPLE REACTIONS IN PARALLEL

3.MULTIPLE REACTIONS IN
SERIES

4.MIXED PARALLEL AND SERIES

REACTIONS

Polymerization Reactions
Polymers are characterized mainly by the distribution of
molar mass about the mean as well as by the mean
itself.
Orientation of groups along chains, cross-linking of the
polymer chains, and so on, also affect the properties.
The breadth of distribution of molar mass depends on
whether a batch or plug-flow reactor or a mixed-flow
reactor is used.
The breadth has an important influence on the
mechanical and other properties of the polymer, and
this is an important factor in the choice of reactor.

Polymerization Reactions
In a batch or plug-flow reactor, all molecules
have the same residence time.
Therefore, without the effect of termination all
will grow to approximately equal lengths,
producing a narrow distribution of molar masses.
By contrast, a mixed-flow reactor will cause a
wide distribution because of the distribution of
residence times in the reactor.

POLYMERIZATION REACTIONS
Two broad classes of polymerization reactions can
be identified:
Active polymer life is long compared to average
residence time in the reactor-All molecules have
same residence time and without the effect of
termination- polymers will grow to equal lengths
producing narrow distribution of molecular
weights.
Active polymer life is short-free radicals are
involved, Mixed flow reactor- maintains uniform
concentration of monomer and constant
termination rate - narrow distribution of molecular
weights.

BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
Reactions catalyzed by micro organisms
Rate of the reaction depends on
temperature, presence of trace elements,
vitamins, toxic substances, light intensity,
etc.,
Depending on the concentration range,
mixed flow, plug flow or combination of
these reactors may be appropiate.
Reactions catalyzed by enzymes
Plug flow or ideal batch reactor will be
preferred

Biochemical reactions
Selection of reactor is critical.
Several parameters influence the reaction.
Normally PFR or Batch reactor is preferred for
enzymatic reactions.
For microbiological reactions, MFR or MFR in
combination with PFR is preferred.
Mostly the bioprocesses are carried out in
batch reactors.

CHOICE OF REACTOR PERFORMANCE

Single reactions
Initial setting for reactor conversion for
single irreversible and reversible is
around 95%
Multiple reactions in parallel & series
Selectivity increases or decreases as
conversion increases;
50% of equilibrium conversion for
reversible reactions and 50% for
irreversible reactions