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1. Discuss the multiple reactor system?

Why do we consider parallel and series reactor


system for any reaction? Explain the theory and calculation when three CSTRs are
connected in series.

Multiple reactors are used in chemical reaction engineering, to reduce the reaction time
based in the reaction kinetics. It is also beneficial in respect of size of the reactor.
Reaction Time is proportionate to the size of Reactor. multiple reactors in parallel can be
used to increase the residence time of the reactants. Smaller reactors can be more easily
made and transported to the site.  So, building smaller vessels with standard wall
thicknesses may be more cost effective. As long as the total volume is the same, splitting
the feed to several smaller reactors will behave the same as one big reactor.
Best Arrangement of a Set of Ideal Reactors

 For a reaction whose rate-concentration curve rises monotonically (any nth-order


reaction, n > 0) the reactors should be connected in series. They should be
ordered so as to keep the concentration of reactant as high as possible if the rate-
concentration curve is concave (n > I), and as low as possible if the curve is convex
(n < 1).
 For reactions where the rate-concentration curve passes through a maximum or
minimum the arrangement of units depends on the actual shape of curve, the
conversion level desired, and the units available.

For same volume, it depends on the order of reaction

 For positive order reactions: - PFR


 For negative order reactions: - CSTR
 Zero order reactions: - doesn't matter.

Consider a system of N mixed flow reactors connected in series. Though the


concentration is uniform in each reactor, there is, nevertheless, a change in concentration
as fluid moves from reactor to reactor. This stepwise drop in concentration. As the
number of units in series increases, the closer should the behavior of the system
approach plug flow.
Let us now quantitatively evaluate the behavior of a series of N equal-size mixed flow
reactors. Density changes will be assumed to be negligible; hence € = 0 and t = ₺. As a
rule, with mixed flow reactors it is more convenient to develop the necessary equations in
terms of concentrations rather than fractional conversions.
2. Write the steps of simulation for simulation of a flash drum through ASPEN Plus software.

Problem Description
Mixture of n-Butanol (mole fraction 0.6) and Ethanol (mole fraction 0.4) having flowrate of 150
kmol/hr (T=800C, P=1 atm) is mixed with pure water having flowrate of 100kmol/hr (T=500C,
P=1 atm) in a mixer as indicated in the above diagram. The product of mixer is fed to a Pressure
Changer device i.e. pump (adiabatic) in order to increase the pressure head (Discharge
Pressure=10 atm). The mechanical efficiency of the pump is 80% and the driven efficiency of the
pump is 70%.The outlet of pump is connected to a horizontal flash drum which is maintained at
Temperature of 1000C and Pressure of 1.5 atm. Flash drum separated the mixture of n-butanol,
ethanol and water into vapor components (top) and liquid component (bottom).By using NRTL
base method, report the following in ASPEN simulation software

STEPS INVOLVED
1. GO TO SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT
2. MAIN FLOWSHEET
 Add Mixer
 Flow manipulator type: Centrifugal pump
 Separator type: Flash2 drum
 Connect streams
3. SPECIFYING COMPONENTS
 Component 1: n-Butanol
 Component 2: Ethanol
 Component3: Water
4. METHOD SPECIFICATION
 Base method: NRTL
5. FEED SPECIFICATIONS
o Ethanol+Butanol
 Temperature: 80°C
 Pressure :1 atm
 Flow basis: Mole
 Total flow rate: 150 kmol/hr
 Composition: Mole-Fraction
 N-Butanol:0.6
 Ethanol:0.4
o Water
 Temperature: 50°C
 Pressure :1 atm
 Flow basis: Mole
 Total flow rate: 100 kmol/hr
 Composition: Mole-Fraction
 Water:1
6. BLOCK SPECIFICATION
PUMP
 Model: Pump
 Discharge pressure: 10 atm
 Pump efficiency: 80%
 Driver efficiency: 70%

Separator

 Flash type: Based on Temperature % Pressure


 Temperature:100°C
 Pressure: 1.5 atm
 Valid phases: Vapor-Liquid
7. RUN SIMULATION
8. CHECK RESULTS
3. Write the steps of simulation for the computation of bubble point temperature through ASPEN
Plus software.

Problem Description
Calculate the relationships between bubble point/dew point temperature of a mixture containing 0.15 mole fraction
of I-pentane, 0.3 n-pentane and 0.55 n-hexane. The flow rate of feed is 1 kmol/hr at 40 C and 1 atm. Base method –
Peng- Robinson

STEPS INVOLVED
9. GO TO SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT
10. MAIN FLOWSHEET
 Add Flash Drum Separator
 Connect streams
11. SPECIFYING COMPONENTS
 Component 1: i-Pentane
 Component 2: n-Pentane
 Component 3: n-Hexane
12. METHOD SPECIFICATION
 Base method: Peng-Robinson
13. FEED SPECIFICATIONS
 Temperature: 40°C
 Pressure :1 atm
 Flow basis: Mole
 Total flow rate: 1 kmol/hr

I- Pentane
 Mole-Fraction: 0.15
n- pentane
 Mole-Fraction: 0.3

n- Hexane

 Mole-Fraction: 0.55
14. SPECIFICATION
 specify 2 variables for the flash drum
 One of these variables will be the pressure in the drum which is at 1 atm
 choose the specification of Vapor Fraction as 0
15. RUN SIMULATION
16. CHECK RESULTS
4. What is P-x-y and T-x-y diagram in binary mixture. Write the steps for simulation for finding the
plot of P-x-y and T-x-y diagrams in ASPEN Plus software.

P-x-y and T-x-y are phase diagram in binary mixture. The concentrations of the vapor and
liquid when the overall concentration and one of the temperature or pressure are
fixed can easily be read off of a phase diagram. The curve gives the detail about
bubble point, dew point and azeotropic nature of mixture.

Problem Description
A binary mixture, consisting of 60 mole% ethanol and 40 mole% water, is introduced into a lash
chamber (Flash2) with a flow rate of 120 kmol/hr at 3 bar and 25 C. (a) Produce T-x- y plot at a
constant pressure (1.013 bar) (b) Produce xy plot based on the data obtained in part (a) (c)
Produce P-x-y plot at a constant temperature (90oC) Use the Wilson activity coefficient model as
a property method.

STEPS INVOLVED
17. MAIN FLOWSHEET
 Separator type: Flash2 drum
 Connect streams
18. SPECIFYING COMPONENTS
 Component 1: Ethanol
 Component 2: Water
19. METHOD SPECIFICATION
 Base method: Wilson
20. GO TO SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT
21. FEED SPECIFICATIONS
 Temperature: 25°C
 Pressure :3 bar
 Flow basis: Mole
 Total flow rate: 120 kmol/hr

Ethanol
 Mole-Fraction: 0.6

Water

 Mole-Fraction: 0.4
22. T-x-y Plot
 Tools -> Analysis -> Property -> Binary
 Select component accordingly
 Select T-x-y
 Click GO

23. P- x- y Plot
 Tools -> Analysis -> Property -> Binary
 Select component accordingly
 Select T-x-y
 Click GO

24. CHECK RESULTS

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