University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Unit Processes

Engr. Qazi M Omar

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Topics to be covered
• Chemical Kinetics
– Order of Reaction
– Mechanism of Reaction
– Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate
– Types of Chemical Reactions

• Chemical Process Kinetics

– Types of Reactors
1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 2
University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Chemical Kinetics
• It is a study of the rates of chemical reaction and the
effect that process conditions (temperature, pressure
and reactant concentration) have on these rates.
• Application of kinetics is important in selection and
design of reactors.
Order of Reaction
• Can be calculated by the sum of exponents of the
concentration terms in the rate equation.

• The order of reaction is a+b.

1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 3
University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Chemical Kinetics
Mechanism of Reaction
• A reaction usually does not occur in a single
step but rather in a series of steps. These steps
are called the mechanism of the reaction.
• For example,

1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 4

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Chemical Kinetics
Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate
• The rate equation only defined by
concentration of reactants while the effect
of temperature appears in rate constant k.
• The relationship between reaction rate
constant (k) and temperature is given by
Arrhenius law as follows:
= −

1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 5

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Chemical Kinetics
Types of Chemical Reactions
• Number of phases involved during
reaction (Heterogeneous or Homogenous)
• Mechanism of reaction (Chain,
Photochemical, etc.)
• Presence of Catalyst (Catalytic or Non-
catalytic)
• Operation (Adiabatic, Isothermal)
1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 6
University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Chemical Process Kinetics

• Study of the influence of the physical
factors that affect chemical reactions
– Type and shape of reactor
– Method of operation (batch, continuous,
recycle)
– Temperature control (isothermal, adiabatic)
– Back mixing (Diffusion or mixing of products
back to reactants)
– Fixed or fluidized bed (important in case of
catalytic reactions)
1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 7
University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Chemical Process Kinetics

Types of Reactors
• Batch Reactors
– Most common type
– Used at small scale to obtain kinetic data
– Reactants are charged at the beginning with no
mass transfer until the reaction is complete.
• Semi-batch Reactors
– Continuous addition of one reactant or
continuous removal of product during reaction.

1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 8

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, KSK Campus

Chemical Process Kinetics

Types of Reactors
• Continuous Reactors
1) Tubular reactors
– No diffusion or mixing of product with reactants
(no back-mixing)
2) Stirred-tank continuous reactors (CSTR)
– Complete back-mixing
3) Tower
– Provide large volumes
– Back-mixing occurs
1/26/2016 Department of Chemical Engineering 9