TUTORIAL

1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using CSTR reactors in chemical

reaction. Describe an example of industrial applications that utilized CSTR
reactors in its process.

Continuous-Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) run at steady state, the flow rate in must equal the
mass flow rate out, otherwise the tank will overflow or go empty (transient state). The feed
assumes a uniform composition throughout the reactor, exit stream has the same composition
as in the tank. The reaction rate associated with the final (output) concentration. Reactor
equipped with an impeller to ensure proper mixing. It dividing the volume of the tank by the
average volumetric flow rate through the tank gives the residence time, or the average amount
of time a discrete quantity of reagent spends inside the tank.

The advantages of using CSTR are it work in continuous operation. Secondly, it has a good
temperature control. Thirdly, it easily adapts to two phase runs. Fourth, it simplicity of
construction. Next, low operating (labor) cost. Lastly, it easy to clean.
The disadvantages of using CSTR are it has lowest conversion per unit volume, very large
reactors are necessary to obtain high conversions. By-passing and channeling possible with
poor agitation.

Continuous stirred-tank reactors are most commonly used in industrial processing, primarily
in homogeneous liquid-phase flow reactions, where constant agitation is required. They may be
used by themselves, in series, or in a battery. CSTR are also used in the pharmaceutical
industry as a loop reactor.

Fermenters are another application of CSTR that involve the use of a biological catalyst
to generate products. In a fermenter, microbes catalyze a reaction that breaks down much
larger molecules into smaller molecules such as ethanol, methanol, or other hydrocarbons.
Vapor product can be removed from the top of a unit without separation, or liquid product can be
removed from the bottom, filtering out and recycling the microbial media. Fermenters are used
in many industries such as brewing, pharmaceuticals, wastewater treatment, and hydrocarbon
processing. 
 2. Write one-paragraph summary of any journal article that studies chemical reaction
in a CSTR. The article must have been published within the last 5 years. Explain
on the CSTR reactor used in the study and its significance to the study done.

Based on the article “Characterization of a 5 Litre Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor” (Igbokwe,
2015), ‘Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTR)’ are usually used in process industry for
reactions, mixing and crystallizations. The objectives of this research is to know and observe the
effect of solute concentration (sodium chloride) on the stirrer speed in the CSTR. The
equipment used in this experiment and research is the beaker and stop watch. An alternative to
the mathematical model can be seen in the experimentally in behavior pattern of the fluid in a
CSTR. The various effect of different parameters such as concentration at a steady time interval
and stirring speed was analyzed in this experiment. The result of this experiment obtained data
gave a curve that is in close agreement to the theoretical which is at 0.6M and 160 rpm. By this
mean, the result obtained at a concentration of 0.6M and 160 rpm closed with the early
analysts. In a nutshell, the purpose of this research has achieved the objective. The ‘Continuous
Stirred Tank Reactor’ used for this experiment gave a curve pattern close agreement at 0.6M
concentration of NaCl at 160 rpm by which compares with similar research work carried out by
earlier researchers (Igbokwe, 2015).

Igbokwe, P. K., Nwabanne, J. T., & Gadzama, S. W. (2015). Characterization of a 5 litre

continuous stirred tank reactor. World Journal of Engineering and Technology, 3(02), 25.
http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/Reactors/CSTR/CSTR.html