UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

REACTION ENGINEERING LABORATORY
(CHE506)

NAME : NURLINA SYAHIIRAH BINTI MD TAHIR

STUDENT NO : 2017632214
GROUP : EH2204I
EXPERIMENT : CSTR IN SERIES
DATE PERFORMED : 1st OCTOBER 2018
SEMESTER :5
PROGRAMME / CODE : CHEMICAL ENGINEERING / EH220
SUBMIT TO : DR FARID MULANA

No. Title Allocated Marks (%) Marks

1 Abstract/Summary 5
2 Introduction 5
3 Aims 5
4 Theory 5
5 Apparatus 5
6 Methodology/Procedure 10
7 Results 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Discussion 20
10 Conclusion 10
11 Recommendations 5
12 Reference 5
13 Appendix 5
TOTAL MARKS 100

Remarks:

Checked by: Rechecked by:

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Date: Date:

[Date] 1
 TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 4

3.0 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................... 5

4.0 THEORY ....................................................................................................................... 6

5.0 MATERIALS & APPARATUS ................................................................................... 9

6.0 METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 10

7.0 RESULTS .................................................................................................................... 11

8.0 CALCULATIONS ...................................................................................................... 18

9.0 DISCUSSION .............................................................................................................. 23

10.0 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................... 26

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................ 27

12.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 28

13.0 APPENDIX .................................................................................................................. 29

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 2

1.0 ABSTRACT

Residence Time Distribution (RTD) Function, E(t) for Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor is study
in the experiment using SOLTEQ BP107 Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors in Series with step
change input as the method of injection of tracer. The tracer is allowed to flow for five minutes
before the reading at t = 0 min is taken as the initial concentration of tracer. Then, every 3 minutes
the reading of the conductivity is taken for the three CSTRs in series. Three moments is
determined to shows the behaviour of the RTD Function in the CSTR. The mean residence time
for reactor 1, reactor 2 and reactor 3 is 7019.2579 min, 6790.2629 min and 2800.8597 min
respectively. The variance for reactor 1, reactor 2 and reactor 3 is 20438359621.3811 min2,
22920136968.7755 min2 and 1794345612.9332 min2, respectively. The skewness for reactor 1,
reactor 2 and reactor 3 is -2647659.9356 min3, -2633166.2558 min3 and -571150.8412 min3,
respectively. All the reactors show negative skewness. The C(t) curve, F(t) curve and E(t) curve
is successfully plotted against time for all three reactors.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION

The Equipment used in the experiment is SOLTEQ BP107 Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors in
Series. This experiment is done primarily to study the effect of step input in the mixing process
inside the Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor. There are three different types of CSTR presence in
the equipment. Reactor 1 and Reactor 2, both have two impellers but differ in the arrangement
of the impellers. Reactor 3 also have impeller but also presence of metal coil inside the reactor.
The material used for the experiment is salt solution, NaCl and deionized water where NaCl act
as the tracer.

The concentration of any substance in the effluent stream is identical to the concentration
throughout the reactor for an ideal CSTR. Stagnants regions or dead volume usually occur inside
a CSTR. In these regions there is approximately litter or no exchange of material with the well
mixed regions. Thus, no reaction occurs at the regions.

In order to counter the non-ideality that happening in real reactors, a higher level of
approximation method is used which involves the use of the macromixing information called
RTD. The residence time distribution is used to describe the non-ideality happening inside the
reactor system. The three most common moments used to describe the residence distribution
function, E(t) is the mean residence time, variance and the skewness.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 4

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The following are the objectives for the experiment:

1) To determine the conductivity of CSTR in series.
2) To plot graph of conductivity against time for CSTR in series.
3) To examine the effect of Step Input in CSTRs in series.
4) To construct the residence time distribution (RTD) function for the reactors.
5) To determine the moments for the RTD function for the reactors.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 5

4.0 THEORY

The Residence – Time Distribution (RTD) inside the Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (BP107)
shows the characteristic of the mixing of reactants that occurs inside the reactor. Inside the
reactor, the reactants are continually consumed as the reactant flow along the length of the
reactor. The residence -time distribution function is represent in a plotted graph of E(t) as a
function of time. This function shows in a quantitative manner of how much time the mixed fluid
stays inside the reactor before leaving the reactor.

Figure 1 - E(t) curve and F(t) Curve For Ideal CSTR

RTD is determined experimentally by injecting chemically inert substance known as
tracer into the reactor at t = 0 and measuring the concentration of the tracer at the effluent stream
as a function of time (Fogler, 2006). The two most common methods of injecting tracer into the
reactor are pulse input and step input.

Step Change Input In Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor

Figure 2 - Typical Concentration – Time Curve At The Inlet And Outlet

Stream For Step Change Input

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 6

A constant rate of tracer is added to the feed that is initiated at time t = 0. Thus, the inlet
concentration of the tracer, Co is constant with time. From this experiment, the cumulative
distribution can be determined directly, F(t).
Co(t) = 0 t<0
(Co) constant t≤0

The cumulative distribution, F(t) represents the fraction of effluent that has been in reactor for
time t = 0 until t = t.
𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐭
𝐂𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐅(𝐭) = [ ] 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏
𝐂𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩

Differentiation of the cumulative distribution function yield to RTD function,

𝐝 𝐂(𝐭)
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐄(𝐭) = [ ] 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐
𝐝𝐭 𝐂𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩

The mean residence time, tm shows the average time the fluids stay inside the reactor (Rochelle
Fourie, 2016).
∞
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐭 𝐦 = ∫ 𝐭 𝐄(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟑
𝟎

The spread of the distribution which is the magnitude of the variance, σ2 . The greater the
magnitude, the greater the distribution’s spread will be (Fogler, 2006).
∞
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝛔𝟐 = ∫ (𝐭 − 𝐭 𝐦 )𝟐 𝐄(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟒
𝟎

The extent that a distribution is skewed in one direction is measured by the skewness’s magnitude
which also means how differs the distribution is compared to the normal distribution (Rouse,
2012).
∞
𝟏
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐬𝟑 = 𝟑
𝟑 ∫ (𝐭 − 𝐭 𝐦 ) 𝐄(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟓
𝛔𝟐 𝟎

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 7

Numerical Evaluation of Integrals
∞
In order to determine the integral of ∫𝟎 𝐂(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭.

1) Simpson’s three – eights rule (four point), N = 3.

𝐗𝟑
𝐡
∫ 𝐟(𝐗)𝐝𝐗 = (𝐟 + 𝟑𝐟𝟏 + 𝟑𝐟𝟐 + 𝐟𝟑 ) 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟔
𝐗𝟎 𝟖 𝟎

Where,
N = Number of segment
𝐗𝟑 − 𝐗𝟎
𝐡= 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟕
𝟑

2) For N + 1 points, where N is even, (Fogler, 2006)

𝐗𝐍
𝐡
∫ 𝐟(𝐗)𝐝𝐗 = (𝐟 + 𝟒𝐟𝟏 + 𝟐𝐟𝟐 + 𝟒𝐟𝟑 + 𝟐𝐟𝟒 + ⋯ + 𝟒𝐟𝐍−𝟏 + 𝐟𝐍 ) 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟖
𝐗𝟎 𝟑 𝟎

Where,
N = Number of segment
𝐗𝐍 − 𝐗𝟎
𝐡= 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟗
𝐍

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 8

5.0 MATERIALS & APPARATUS

5.1 Materials
1) De – ionized Water.
2) Sodium Chloride, NaCl.

5.2 Apparatus
1) SOLTEQ Stirred Tank Reactors in Series BP107

Figure 3 - Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor In Series BP107 used in the

Experiment

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 9

6.0 METHODOLOGY

6.1 General Start-Up Procedures

1) The two 20-L feed tanks (T1 and T2) is filled with de – ionized water.
2) 300g of sodium chloride is dissolved in tank 1. The salts is made sure to dissolve
completely and the solutions is ensure to be homogenous.
3) The power for the control panel is turned on.
4) The stirrer assembly is made sure to secured properly to avoid damage to the
mechanical seal.
5) The three way valve (V3) is set to Position 2 so that the de – ionized water from tank
2 will flow into reactor 1.
6) Pump 2 is switched on to fill up all the three reactors with de – ionized water.
7) The needle valve, V4 is adjust as to set the flowrate, F1 to 150mL/min. Stirrers 1, 2
and 3 is then switched on at 180 rpm.

6.2 Experimental Procedures

1) After 5 minutes, pump 2 is then switched off. The three way valve, V3 is set to position
1 and the pump P1 is switched on.
2) The initial conductivity values is recorded at time, t = 0 min. The timer is then started.
3) The value of the conductivity for the three reactors is recorded for every 3 minutes
interval until the value for reactor 1 and reactor 3 reached to approximate close or
same value.

6.3 General Shut-Down Procedures

1) The pumps and stirrer is switched off. The needle valve, V4 is closed.
2) All liquids in the reactors is drained by opening valves V5 and V6.
3) The power for the control panel is switched off.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 10

7.0 RESULTS

Table 1 – Values of Conductivity With Respect to Time

Time Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3

(min) (mS/cm) (mS/cm) (mS/cm)
0 0.08 0.04 0.06
3 4.95 0.09 0.18
6 8.71 3.16 0.79
9 10.86 5.74 2.20
12 12.21 7.70 3.73
15 13.30 9.50 5.47
18 13.50 10.96 7.23
21 13.97 12.02 8.68
24 14.90 12.79 10.15
27 14.90 13.52 11.03
30 15.09 14.05 12.02
33 15.19 14.44 12.78
36 15.21 14.68 13.35
39 15.34 14.89 13.85
42 15.37 15.05 14.27
45 15.24 15.11 14.57
48 15.09 15.13 14.80
51 14.90 15.07 14.90

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 11

Table 2 – Cumulative Distribution, F(t) and Residence Time Distribution, E(t)
F(t) E(t)
Time,
t
(min) Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3 Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3

0 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

3 61.8750 2.2500 3.0000 20.6250 0.7500 1.0000
6 108.8750 79.0000 13.1667 18.1458 13.1667 2.1944
9 135.7500 143.5000 36.6667 15.0833 15.9444 4.0741
12 152.6250 192.5000 62.1667 12.7188 16.0417 5.1806
15 166.2500 237.5000 91.1667 11.0833 15.8333 6.0778
18 168.7500 274.0000 120.5000 9.3750 15.2222 6.6944
21 174.6250 300.5000 144.6667 8.3155 14.3095 6.8889
24 186.2500 319.7500 169.1667 7.7604 13.3229 7.0486
27 186.2500 338.0000 183.8333 6.8981 12.5185 6.8086
30 188.6250 351.2500 200.3333 6.2875 11.7083 6.6778
33 189.8750 361.0000 213.0000 5.7538 10.9394 6.4545
36 190.1250 367.0000 222.5000 5.2813 10.1944 6.1806
39 191.7500 372.2500 230.8333 4.9167 9.5449 5.9188
42 192.1250 376.2500 237.8333 4.5744 8.9583 5.6627
45 190.5000 377.7500 242.8333 4.2333 8.3944 5.3963
48 188.6250 378.2500 246.6667 3.9297 7.8802 5.1389
51 186.2500 376.7500 248.3333 3.6520 7.3873 4.8693

Table 3 - Moments in Residence Time Distribution (RTD) Function

Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3

∞
Mean Residence Time, 𝐭 𝐦 = ∫𝟎 𝐭 𝐄(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭 7019.2579 6790.2629 2800.8597

∞
Variance, 𝛔𝟐 = ∫𝟎 (𝐭 − 𝐭 𝐦 )𝟐 𝐄(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭 20438359621.3811 22920136968.7755 1794345612.9332

Standard Deviation, 𝛔 142962.7910 151393.9793 42359.7169

𝟏 ∞
Skewness, 𝐬𝟑 = 𝟑 ∫𝟎 (𝐭 − 𝐭 𝐦 )𝟑 𝐄(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭 -2647659.9356 -2633166.2558 -571150.8412
𝛔𝟐

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 12

 Table 4 - Data Calculated For Mean Residence Time and Variance in RTD Function

Time tE(t), min t - tm, min (t - tm)2E(t), min2

(min) Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3 Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3 Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3
0 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 -7019.2579 -6790.2629 -2800.8597 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
3 61.8750 3.7125 0.0900 -7016.2579 -6787.2629 -2797.8597 1015324920.2108 34550203.2553 7828018.9009
6 108.8750 114.6817 6.9344 -7013.2579 -6784.2629 -2794.8597 892517081.8737 606011937.4348 17141333.8520
9 135.7500 173.1567 23.3852 -7010.2579 -6781.2629 -2791.8597 741251047.0197 733213672.8294 31755291.2701
12 152.6250 195.8688 39.8903 -7007.2579 -6778.2629 -2788.8597 624511779.8058 737031935.7285 40293006.0139
15 166.2500 210.5833 57.7389 -7004.2579 -6775.2629 -2785.8597 543744218.4210 726816299.9318 47169720.0516
18 168.7500 205.5000 73.3711 -7001.2579 -6772.2629 -2782.8597 459540114.2092 698145070.6422 51843840.4023
21 174.6250 199.9040 82.8044 -6998.2579 -6769.2629 -2779.8597 407255549.0951 655704167.7571 53234715.2227
24 186.2500 198.5115 90.1517 -6995.2579 -6766.2629 -2776.8597 379745381.7729 609953949.3252 54351486.3916
27 186.2500 186.5259 92.0528 -6992.2579 -6763.2629 -2773.8597 337261986.5961 572618632.1639 52387717.8501
30 188.6250 176.6788 93.8228 -6989.2579 -6760.2629 -2770.8597 307142652.1792 535084350.3362 51269730.5525
33 189.8750 166.1694 93.2036 -6986.2579 -6757.2629 -2767.8597 280829724.8387 499499311.6908 49448578.1492
36 190.1250 155.0575 90.7306 -6983.2579 -6754.2629 -2764.8597 257544861.3046 465071241.8692 47246942.7292
39 191.7500 146.4183 88.1310 -6980.2579 -6751.2629 -2761.8597 239559668.3900 435050968.3281 45147857.1301
42 192.1250 137.6896 85.2236 -6977.2579 -6748.2629 -2758.8597 222691757.2422 407954009.0007 43100535.1857
45 190.5000 127.9313 81.5380 -6974.2579 -6745.2629 -2755.8597 205910490.1158 381935231.5148 40983589.7542
48 188.6250 118.9123 77.7514 -6971.2579 -6742.2629 -2752.8597 190976669.2522 358219369.4596 38943715.4905
51 186.2500 110.0701 73.3801 -6968.2579 -6739.2629 -2749.8597 177326865.3425 335511864.2354 36820180.6236

[Date] 13
Table 5 - Data Calculated For Skewness in RTD Function
Time, t
(min) Reactor 1
0 0.0000
3 -7123781492496.0200
6 -6259452475335.4000
9 -5196361008253.3300
12 -4376115102687.0700
15 -3808524737454.4700
18 -3217358854973.9200
21 -2850079363773.4500
24 -2656416881835.2700
27 -2358222790146.5900
30 -2146699208170.2800
33 -1961948883709.5300
36 -1798502187309.7500
39 -1672188267800.8100
42 -1553777822483.1200
45 -1436072862383.3300
48 -1331347614240.0600
51 -1235659330305.4400
(t - tm)3E(t), min3
Reactor 2 Reactor 3
0.0000 0.0000
-234501312742.0710 -21901698613.6219
-4111344304096.2600 -47907623187.2039
-4972114677330.6800 -88656317958.8109
-4995796226063.6200 -112371540664.1460
-4924371512043.4900 -131408222151.9720
-4728021960728.3100 -144274134148.7360
-4438633896173.6700 -147985039488.5950
-4127108778027.7100 -150926452195.8540
-3872770350763.1600 -145316179319.4000
-3617310881948.6700 -142061230217.8590
-3375248167464.0300 -136866726681.3630
-3141213434813.8600 -130631167900.2510
-2937143462082.4400 -124692047148.9460
-2752980903845.4700 -118908329572.2270
-2576253547339.7600 -112945023364.8360
-2415209164768.7400 -107206584942.1060
-2261102659151.4800 -101250330843.6280
[Date] 14
 Conductivity Against Time
18.0000
Conductivity, C(t) mS/cm

16.0000
14.0000
12.0000
10.0000
8.0000
6.0000
4.0000
2.0000
0.0000
-2.0000 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
time, t (min)

Reactor 1 (mS/cm) Reactor 2 (mS/cm) Reactor 3 (mS/cm)

Figure 4 - Graph of Conductivity Versus Time
The graph shows that for all the reactors the conductivity increases as time increases until
at t = 51 min, the conductivity curve yield to constant value of approximately C(t) = 15 mS/cm.
The conductivity value is the highest for Reactor 1 and the lowest in reactor 3 with respect to
time.

Residence Time Distribution (RTD) Function, E(t) Curve

25.0000
20.0000
15.0000
E(t)

10.0000
5.0000
0.0000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-5.0000
Time, t (min)

Reactor 1 min Reactor 2 min Reactor 3 min

Figure 5 - Residence Time Distribution (RTD) Function for the Respective Reactor
The graph shows the residence time distribution (RTD) function for the three reactors.
All reactors shows a bell shape curve, however the skewness of the bell is higher to the left by
Reactor 1, followed with reactor 2 and reactor 3.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 15

 tE(t) Against Time
250.0000

200.0000

150.0000
tE(t)

100.0000

50.0000

0.0000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-50.0000
Time, t (min)

Reactor 1 min Reactor 2 min Reactor 3 min

Figure 4 – Area under the curve is the value for the mean residence time, tm
The graph shows the tE(t) curve plotted against time. The mean residence time, tm for
the respective reactor is the area under the curve determine through numerical integration
method.

(t-tm)^2 E(t) Against Time

1200000000.0000
1000000000.0000
800000000.0000
(t-tm)^2Et

600000000.0000
400000000.0000
200000000.0000
0.0000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-200000000.0000
Time, t (min)

Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3

Figure 7 – Area under the curve is the value for the variance,
The graph shows the (t-tm)2E(t) curve plotted against time. The variance, for the
respective reactor is the area under the curve determine through numerical integration method.
All reactors shows a bell shape curve, however the skewness of the bell is higher to the left by
Reactor 1, followed with reactor 2 and reactor 3.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 16

 (t-tm)^3E(t) Against Time
Trillions 2.0000

0.0000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
(t-tm)^3E(t)

-2.0000

-4.0000

-6.0000

-8.0000
Time, t (min)

Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3

Figure 5 – The curve shows the skewness of the residence time distribution (RTD) function
The graph shows the (t-tm)3E(t) curve plotted against Time. The skewness value is
determine using the area under the curve as part of the calculation through the numerical
integration method. All reactor shows negative skewness.

Cumulative Distribution Function, F(t) Curve Plotted

Against Time
400.0000

300.0000

200.0000
F(t)

100.0000

0.0000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-100.0000
Time, t (min)

Reactor 1 Reactor 2 Reactor 3

Figure 9 – Cumulative Distribution Function, F(t)

The graph shows the cumulative distribution function, F(t) plotted against Time. All the
curve shows that as time increases, the F(t) values also increases. Reactor 2 shows the highest
F(t) curve values. As for Reactor 1, from t = 0 until t = 27 min, the curve values is higher
compared to Reactor 3, however after t = 27 min, the curve values is lower compared to Reactor
3.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 17

8.0 CALCULATIONS

Sample Calculation For Cumulative Distribution Function. F(t) for Reactor 1

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐭
𝐅(𝐭) = [ ]
𝐂𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩

Thus,

4.95
F(t) = [ ]
0.08 step

𝐅(𝐭) = 𝟔𝟏. 𝟖𝟕𝟓𝟎

Sample Calculation For Residence Time Distribution (RTD) function, E(t) for Reactor 1

𝐭𝐍
𝐅(𝐭) = ∫ 𝐄(𝐭) 𝐝𝐭
𝐭𝟎

𝐅(𝐭) = (𝐭 𝐍 − 𝐭 𝟎 )𝐄(𝐭)

𝐅(𝐭)
𝐄(𝐭) =
(𝐭 𝐍 − 𝐭 𝟎 )

Thus,
61.8750
E(t) =
(3 − 0)

𝐄(𝐭) = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟔𝟐𝟓𝟎

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 18

Sample Calculation For Mean Residence Time for Reactor 1
∞ 42 51
t m = ∫ tE(t)dt = ∫ tE(t)dt + ∫ tE(t)dt
0 0 42

For N+1 points, where N is even:

XN
h
∫ f(x)dx = (f + 4f1 + 2f2 + 4f3 + 2f4 + ⋯ + 4fN−1 + fN )
X0 3 0
Where,
XN − X0 42min − 0min
h= = = 2.9286
N 14
42
2.9286
∫ tE(t)dt = (0 + 4(61.875) + 2(108.875) + 4(135.75) + 2(152.625)
0 3
+ 4(166.25) + 2(168.75) + 4(174.625) + 2(186.25) + 4(186.25)
+ 2(188.625) + 4(189.875) + 2(190.125) + 4(191.75) + 192.125)
42
∫ tE(t)dt = 6450.8516 min
0

Simpson’s three eights rule (four point):

X3
h
∫ f(x)dx = (f + 3f1 + 3f2 + f3 )
X0 3 0
Where,
X3 − X0 51min − 42min
h= = =3
N 3
51
3
∫ tE(t)dt = (192.125 + 3(190.5 + 188.625) + 186.25)
42 8
51
∫ tE(t)dt = 568.4063 min
42

Therefore, the value of the integral

∞ 42 51
t m = ∫ tE(t)dt = ∫ tE(t)dt + ∫ tE(t)dt
0 0 42

t m = 6450.8516 + 568.4063
𝐭 𝐦 = 𝟕𝟎𝟏𝟗. 𝟐𝟓𝟕𝟗 𝐦𝐢𝐧

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 19

Sample Calculation for Second moment, Variance, 𝛔𝟐 for Reactor 1
∞ 42 51
σ2 = ∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt = ∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt + ∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt
0 0 42

For N+1 points, where N is even:

XN
h
∫ f(x)dx = (f + 4f1 + 2f2 + 4f3 + 2f4 + ⋯ + 4fN−1 + fN )
X0 3 0
Where,
XN − X0 42min − 0min
h= = = 2.9286
N 14
42
∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt
0
2.9286
= (0 + 4(1015324920.2108) + 2(892517081.8737)
3
+ 4(741251047.0197) + 2(624511779.8058) + 4(543744218.4210)
+ 2(459540114.2092) + 4(407255549.0951) + 2(379745381.7729)
+ 4(337261986.5961) + 2(307142652.1792) + 4(280829724.8387)
+ 2(257544861.3046) + 4(239559668.3900) + 222691757.2422)
42
∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt = 19841854583.6227 min2
0

Simpson’s three eights rule (four point):

X3
h
∫ f(x)dx = (f + 3f1 + 3f2 + f3 )
X0 3 0
Where,
X3 − X0 51min − 42min
h= = =3
N 3
51
∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt
42
3
= (222691757.2422 + 3(205910490.1158 + 190976669.2522)
8
+ 177326865.3425)
51
∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt = 596505037.7583 min2
42

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 20

Therefore, the value of the integral which yield to Variance,
∞ 42 51
σ = ∫ (t − t m E(t)dt = ∫ (t − t m E(t)dt + ∫ (t − t m )2 E(t)dt
2 )2 )2
0 0 42
2
σ = 19841854583.6227 + 596505037.7583
𝛔𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟑𝟖𝟑𝟓𝟗𝟔𝟐𝟏. 𝟑𝟖𝟏𝟏 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝟐

Sample Calculation For Standard Deviation, 𝛔 for Reactor 1

Standard Deviation, σ = √Variance, σ2

σ = √20438359621.3811 min2
𝛔 = 𝟏𝟒𝟐𝟗𝟔𝟐. 𝟕𝟗𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧

Sample Calculation on Third moment, Skewness, 𝐬𝟑 for Reactor 1

∞ 42 51
1 1
s3 =
3 ∫ (t − t m ) 3
E(t)dt = 3 (∫ (t − t m ) 3
E(t)dt + ∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt)
σ2 0 σ2 0 42

For N+1 points, where N is even:

XN
h
∫ f(x)dx = (f + 4f1 + 2f2 + 4f3 + 2f4 + ⋯ + 4fN−1 + fN )
X0 3 0
Where,
XN − X0 42min − 0min
h= = = 2.9286
N 14
42
∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt
0

2.9286
= (0 + 4(−7123781492496.0200) + 2(−6259452475335.4000)
3
+ 4(−5196361008253.3300) + 2(−4376115102687.0700)
+ 4(−3808524737454.4700) + 2(−3217358854973.9200)
+ 4(−2850079363773.4500) + 2(−2656416881835.2700)
+ 4(−2358222790146.5900) + 2(−2146699208170.2800)
+ 4(−1961948883709.5300) + 2(−1798502187309.7500)
+ 4(−1672188267800.8100) + (−1553777822483.1200))
42
∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt = −138959427834303.0000 min3
0

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 21

 Simpson’s three eights rule (four point):
X3
h
∫ f(x)dx = (f + 3f1 + 3f2 + f3 )
X0 3 0
Where,
X3 − X0 51min − 42min
h= = =3
N 3
51
∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt
42
3
= (−1553777822483.1200)
8
+ 3(−1436072862383.3300 + (−1331347614240.0600)
+ (−1235659330305.4400)
51
∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt = −4159386968497.0300 min3
42

Therefore, the value of the integral

∞ 42 51
∫ (t − t m E(t)dt = ∫ (t − t m E(t)dt + ∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt
)3 )3
0 0 42
∞
∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt = −138959427834303.0000 + (−4159386968497.0300)
0
∞
∫ (𝐭 − 𝐭 𝐦 )𝟑 𝐄(𝐭)𝐝𝐭 = −𝟏𝟒𝟑𝟏𝟏𝟖𝟖𝟏𝟒𝟖𝟎𝟐𝟖𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝟑
𝟎

Thus, the skewness

∞ 42 51
1 1
s3 = 3 ∫ (t − t m ) 3
E(t)dt = 3 (∫ (t − t m ) 3
E(t)dt + ∫ (t − t m )3 E(t)dt)
σ2 0 σ2 0 42

1
s3 = 3
(−143118814802800.0000)
12.16982
𝐬𝟑 = −𝟐𝟔𝟒𝟕𝟔𝟓𝟗. 𝟗𝟑𝟓𝟔 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝟑

All the calculation steps is repeated for Reactor 2 and Reactor 3.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 22

9.0 DISCUSSION

The main objective for the experiment is to study the effect of step change input in Continuous
Stirred Tank Reactors. The equipment used to study for this effect is Continuous Stirred Tank
Reactors in Series Model SOLTEQ BP107. The cumulative distribution function, F(t) curve
represent the fraction of effluent that has been in reactor for time = 0 min until t = t min. In the
experiment, the F(t) value is determined by dividing the concentration of the tracer value, C(t) at
the respective t = t with initial concentration of the tracer value, Co(t) at t = 0 min for each of the
reactor.

Figure 10 - Comparison of F(t) under perfect operation, bypassing and dead volume. (DV
= Dead Volume, BP = bypassing, P=Perfect)

Based on Figure 10 and Figure 9, F(t) curve for reactor 2 shows the closes to the ideal
CSTR mixing compared to Reactor 1 and reactor 2. F(t) curve for Reactor 1 shows a rapid
increase before reaching constant at approximately t = 10 min. This might be due to stagnant
area or dead volume inside the reactor that restricted the fluid flow. As for Reactor 3, the present
of metal coil inside the reactor may resulting in stagnant area or dead volume and that is why the
F(t) curve is not too differ with F(t) curve for reactor 1.

Figure 6 - Ideal CSTR with Dead Volume or Stagnant Area

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 23

 Besides, the location of the impeller or stirrer located inside the reaction could also affect
the mixing behaviour. Reactor 1 has two impeller located near to each other at the center of the
reactor. Thus, the area at the top and bottom of the reactor is could contribute to the dead volume
since the fluid inside the reactor is mostly mix at the center part of the reactor. Reactor 2 also has
two impeller however both, is far from each other and the distance from top and bottom side of
the reactor with the impeller is near. This, reduces the likelihood for the presence of dead volume
inside the reactor. As for Reactor 3, although impeller is also present in this reactor, however
there is metal coil constructed inside in the reactor. This metal coil increases the possibility for
stagnant area to be presence inside the reactor.

The Residence Time Distribution (RTD) function, E(t) is determine through the
differentiation of the F(t) value. E(t) shows in quantitative manner how much time different fluid
elements have spent in the reactor. Based on Figure , reactor 1 is the closest to ideal CSTR since
the curve flow decreases over time compared to bell shape curve for reactor 2 and reactor 3.
However, throughout the curves values, E(t) curve for Reactor 2 shows the highest value which
signifies the higher rate of mixing compared to the other two reactors.

The first moment to be considered in the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) function is
the mean residence time, tm. This moment shows the average time for the fluids staying inside
the reactor. tE(t) curve is plotted against time in Figure 6. The mean residence time is determine
through numerical integration method which yield to area under the tE(t) curve. The total area
under the curve is the value for the mean residence time. The mean residence time for reactor 1,
reactor 2 and reactor 3 is 7019.2579 min, 6790.2629 min and 2800.8597 min respectively.

The mean residence time for Reactor 3 is the lowest. This probably due to the metal coil
already occupies part of the volume inside the reactor. In addition to stagnant area or dead
volume, the fluids cannot stay much longer since the space is occupied. This resulting in they
cannot flow thoroughly inside the reactor. As for reactor 1, since the impeller is located at the
center of the reactor, it takes longer for the fluid to flow to the effluent stream since the impeller
forces inhibit or restrict their movement from escaping. Thus, allowing a longer mixing time and
longer residence time in reactor 1. Residence time for reactor 2 is lower than reactor 1 due to the
arrangement of the impeller nearer to the top and bottom side of the reactor.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 24

 The second moment to be considered in the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) function
is the variance. This moment shows the spread of the distribution. The greater the magnitude,
the greater the distribution’s spread will be. The variance for reactor 1, reactor 2 and reactor 3 is
20438359621.3811 min2, 22920136968.7755 min2 and 1794345612.9332 min2, respectively.
The variance for reactor 2 is the highest followed by reactor 1 and reactor 3. This prove the
assumption from the mean residence time, tm earlier that reactor 2 is the closest to ideal CSTR
mixing since the spread of the distribution is the highest. Thus, fluid in reactor 2 is well mixed
compared to the other two reactor.

The third moment to be considered in the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) function
is the skewness. This moment shows how differs the distribution is compared to the normal
distribution. The extent that a distribution is skewed in one direction is measured by the
skewness’s magnitude. The skewness for reactor 1, reactor 2 and reactor 3 is -2647659.9356
min3, -2633166.2558 min3 and -571150.8412 min3, respectively. Comparing the three reactor,
reactor 3 shows the closest value to 0. However, all three of them shows a rather very far values
from 0 and show negative skewness which means that all three of them is skewed to the left.

The conductivity values is the concentration of the tracer detected inside the reactors at t
= t min. Reactor 1 has the highest concentration of tracer followed by reactor 2 and reactor 3 as
the time increases until at approximate t = 51 min where the tracer value is approximately close
or the same value. From this value, we can say that the fluid in reactor 1 takes longer time
compared to reactor 2 and 3 to flow to the effluent stream.

In conclusion, reactor 2 shows the closes to ideal CSTR mixing compared to reactor 1
and reactor 3. This is proven from the mean residence time, variance and the conductivity value
inside the reactor. The probability of dead volume and stagnant area in reactor 2 is the also the
lowest since it has the highest degree of spread of distribution. All reactors shows a bell shape
curve, however the skewness of the bell is higher to the left by Reactor 1, followed with reactor
2 and reactor 3.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 25

10.0 CONCLUSION

The experiment is considered to be successfully done since all the objectives is achieved. Three
moments of the RTD Function in the CSTR is determined. The C(t) curve, F(t) curve and E(t)
curve is plotted againts time. The mean residence time for reactor 1, reactor 2 and reactor 3 is
7019.2579 min, 6790.2629 min and 2800.8597 min respectively. The variance for reactor 1,
reactor 2 and reactor 3 is 20438359621.3811 min2, 22920136968.7755 min2 and
1794345612.9332 min2, respectively. The skewness for reactor 1, reactor 2 and reactor 3 is -
2647659.9356 min3, -2633166.2558 min3 and -571150.8412 min3, respectively. All reactors
shows a bell shape curve, however the skewness of the bell is higher to the left by Reactor 1,
followed with reactor 2 and reactor 3. All the reactors show negative skewness. Dead volume or
stagnant area might occur inside reactor 1 and reactor 3 due to impeller arrangement and presence
of metal coil inside the reactor.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 26

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

There are several recommendations can be made to improve the experiment for a better result.
The students can try another method for tracer injection such as Pulse Input. Besides, the
behaviour of the mixing inside the reactor can be further investigate using the conversion rate of
reactant to products. The experiment should be done more than once to ensure the consistency
and accuracy of the obtained data. The students should get a full picture of the equipment used
in order to investigate the behaviour of the experimental mixing with the theoretical mixing such
that the volume of the reactor is determine to obtained the theoretical residence time which can
be used to compared with the experimental data value. The students can try the experiment with
different stirrer speed to further investigate the mixing behaviour of the fluid inside the CSTRs.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 27

12.0 REFERENCES

Azlan. (n.d.). Lab CSTR in Series. Retrieved from SlideShare:

https://www.slideshare.net/azlan.skool/lab-cstr-in-series

Fogler, H. S. (2006). Element of Chemical Reaction Engineering. Michigan: Prentice Hall.

Rochelle Fourie, M. N. (2016). Analysis and Comparison of the Residence Time Distributions
(RTDs) of a Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor (CSTR), a Plug Flow Reactor (PFR) and
a Tubular Plug Flow Reactor (TPFR). In Advances in Chemistry Research. USA: Nova
Science Publisher.

Rouse, M. (December, 2012). Skewness. Retrieved from WhatIs.TechTarget:

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/skewness

Tubular Flow Reactor Lab Manual. (September, 2018). Retrieved from I-Learn.

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 28

13.0 APPENDIX

LAB REPORT ON CSTR IN SERIES (L2) 29