example, color, electrical conductivity, IR spectroscopy, and NMR.

Other methods involve the use of continuous-flow reactors, and in certain cases, the
rate is measured directly rather than indirectly. One advantage of a flow method is
that a steady-state can usually be established, and this is an advantage for relatively
fast reactions, and for continuous monitoring of properties. A disadvantage is that it
may require relatively large quantities of materials. Furthermore, the flow rate must be
accurately measured, and the flow pattern properly characterized.
One such laboratory flow reactor for a gas-phase reaction catalyzed by a solid (particles
indicated) is shown schematically in Figure 1.2. In this device, the flowing gas
mixture (inlet and outlet indicated) is well mixed by internal recirculation by the rotating
impeller, so that, everywhere the gas contacting the exterior catalyst surface is at the
same composition and temperature. In this way, a point rate of reaction is obtained.
Experimental methods for the measurement of reaction rate are discussed further in
Chapter 3, and are implicitly introduced in many problems at the ends of other chapters.
By these means, we emphasize that chemical kinetics is an experimental science, and
we attempt to develop the ability to devise appropriate methods for particular cases.