Design Equations

Reactor Batch CSTR

Differential

Algebraic

Integral
t N Ao
X

N Ao

dX rAV dt
FAo X V rA

dX 0 rAV

PFR

FAo

dX rA dV

dX V FAo 0 rA

PBR

FAo

dX r ' A dW

dX W FAo 0 r'A

Reactor Sizing

Given -rA as a function of conversion, -rA=f(X), one can size any type of reactor. One way is to construct Levenspiel plot.

Here we plot either

FAo/-rA vs or FAo/-rA vs X CSTR & PFR volumes are shaded areas in the Levenspiel Plots shown below. 1/-rA as a function of X

Levenspiel Plots

Numerical Evaluation of Integrals Using Quadrature Formulas (Appendix A.4).

Numerical Evaluation of Integrals

The integral to calculate PFR volume can be evaluated using a method such as Simpson's OneThird Rule.

Other methods: 1. Trapezoidal Rule (two data points) 2. Simpson's Three-Eighth's Rule (four data points) 3. Five-Point Quadrature Formula

Reactors in Series
Given -rA as a function of conversion, one can design any sequence of reactors:
(moles of A reacted up to point i)

Xi =

(moles of A fed to the first reactor)

Valid only if there are no side streams.

CSTR-PFR-CSTR
FAo

X1 FA1
V1
FAo rA

X2 FA2
FAo X 1 rA1
X2

X3 FA3

V2 V3
0 X1 X2 X3

FAo dX r X1 A

FAo ( X 3 X 2 ) rA3

PFR-CSTR-PFR
FAo X1 FA1

X2 FA2

X3 FA3

Shaded areas give reactor volumes V1, V2 & V3 . One can use a quadrature formula given in appendix A.4 to evaluate V1 & V3.

Relative Rates of Reaction

aA + bB cC + dD
rC rD rA rB a b c d
Space time, (tau) = time necessary to process one volume of reactor fluid at entrance conditions.

V vo