Example DVD13-2: Startup of a CSTR

Again we consider the production of propylene glycol (C) in a CSTR with

a heat exchanger. Initially there is only water at 75°F and 0.1 wt % H2SO4
in the 1420-gallon reactor. The feed stream consists of 400 lb mol/h of
propylene oxide (A), 5000 lb mol/h of water (B) containing 0.1 wt %
H2SO4 ,and 20 lb mol /h of methanol (M). Plot the temperature and
concentration of propylene oxide as a function of time, and a concentration
vs. temperature graph for different entering temperatures.

Solution

(CDE13-2.1)

(CDE13-2.2)

(CDE13-2.3)

(CDE13-2.4)
 (CDE13-2.5)

(CDE13-2.6)

(CDE13-2.7)

(CDE13-2.8)

(CDE13-2.9)

(CDE13-2.10)

Neglecting because it changes the heat of reaction insignificantly over

the temperature range of the reaction, the heat of reaction is assumed
constant at
The POLYMATH program is shown in Table CDE13-2.1. Figures CDE13-2.1 and
CDE13-2.2 show the reactor temperature and concentration of propylene oxide as a
function of time. One observes that both the concentration of A and the temperature
oscillate around their steady-state values before coming to rest at these values. The
corresponding phase-plane plot of concentration and temperature shows a spiral approach
to the steady state (Figure CDE13-2.3).

Table CDE13-2.1
 Figure CDE13-2.1
Temperature Time Trajectory

Figure CDE13-2.2
Concentration Time Trajectory
 Figure CDE13-2.3
Concentration temperature phase plane Plot