Process Analysis and Simulation

Simulation of a CSTR with a given RTD using MATHCAD

Time constant: 25 := Rate constant: k 0.10 :=
Schematic diagram of a CSTR
Reaction order: n 1 := Final simulation time: tfinal 50 :=
Number of grid points: N 10
3
:=
Initial condition: t0 0 := Ca0 0.0 := Cain 0.5 :=
Solution:
Given
Ca t0 ( ) Ca0 =
Ca' t ( )
1

k Ca t ( )
n 1
+

Ca t ( )
1

Cain + =
Reactor dynamic model
1
0
nonlinear
1 1
, 1
n a
a a a
m m
dC
kC C C n
dt

l
l
=
l
l

Ca Odesolve t tfinal , ( ) :=
0 10 20 30 40 50
0.1
0.2
Ca t ( )
t
E t ( )
1

exp
t

:=
Cam
0
tfinal
t Ca t ( ) E t ( )

d :=
Cam 0.092 = RTD of ideal CSTR
1
( ) exp( ),
m
m m
t V
E t
F

= =
Steady state solution for n = 1 Mean outlet concentration
0
( ) ( )
a a
C C E d

Cass
1

Ca0
1

k +
:= Cass 0 =
0
1 exp
a p a
t
C K C

1l

l
=

l
( )
l
First-order reaction: Analytical Solution
,
m p
K K 1. Response without chemical reaction:
m 25 := m := K 1 := Kp K := k 0.1 :=
Ca1 t ( ) Kp Cain 1 exp
t

:=
1
,
1 1
m
p
m m
K
k k

= =

2. Response with first order chemical reaction

m
1 m k +
:= Kp
K
1 m k +
:=
time vector tp 0 .1 , 20 .. :=

Ca2 t ( ) Kp Cain 1 exp
t

:=
0 50 100 150
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
without Rxn
with Rxn
time
r
e
a
c
t
a
n
t

c
o
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
7.143 = Kp 0.286 =