Theoretical Residence Time

(secs)
432.2

Experimental Residence Time

(secs)
666.67

Percentage
Deviation (%)
54.25034706

The table above shows a significant difference between the experimental and
theoretical residence time, with a longer experimental residence time. In theory, we
assumed that all the particles have equal residence time when they possess the
same flow-rate in the reactors. However, it does not happen this way. In reality,
there are particles that are closer to the wall of the reactor and would be affected
by the wall friction effect. The particles will exert more energy to over the wall
friction in turn for a lower velocity while increasing their residence time in the
reactor. In CSTR, the distribution of the residence time is dependent on the flow
pattern. However, there are some stationary flow zones in the CSTR where the
mixture occurs at the minimal and in turn increases the residence time.
On top of that, the liquid pump is being taken into consideration. The liquid pump
speed set during the experiment may not be achievable in reality due to inefficiency
in the pump. The pump speed is used in the computation of the theoretical results.
However, it is known that the pump speed is actually lower than it is supposed to
be. As a result, the residence time will be longer in the experimental compared to
theoretical. Nevertheless, the trend is shown in the experimental residence time.