EP328 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY VI

NO. OF EXPERIMENT: 2
TITLE OF EXPERIMENT: THE EFFECT OF PULSE INPUT FOR PFR
NAME: VINCENT ARTHUR
ID: 1001955087
GROUP: 5
DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 18 July 2022
TUTOR: MS. NURUL HUDA BINTI M ALI; DR. CHEOK CHOON YOONG

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & BUILT
ENVIRONMENT

2022
Table of Contents

1.0 Problem Statement ....................................................................................................... 1

2.0 Hypothesis ..................................................................................................................... 1

3.0 Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 1

4.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1

5.0 Material and Apparatus .............................................................................................. 2

6.0 Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 2

7.0 Results and Calculation ............................................................................................... 3

8.0 Discussion ...................................................................................................................... 5

9.0 Limitation and Precautions ......................................................................................... 6

10.0 Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 6

11.0 References ..................................................................................................................... 6

12.0 Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 8

13.0 Rubric .......................................................................................................................... 10

EXPERIMENT 2: THE EFFECT OF PULSE INPUT FOR PFR

1.0 Problem Statement

The plug flow reactor (PFR) is a continuous tubular reactor in which reactants
are continuously added to the system and products are continuously removed from the
system. It is one of the most commonly used reactor types in the chemical industry and
is typically used in systems involving gas or liquid phase, such as the production of
gasoline. The PFR efficiency greatly depends on Residency Time Distribution (RTD)
function. Therefore, this experiment was carried out using 25L of a 0.05M sodium
chloride solution in order to learn more about the association between PFR and RTD.
When a pulse input was supplied, the salt solution was pumped into a clean PFR to
measure the conductivity. Plotting the conductivity vs. time graph and utilizing an RTD
function graph will allow you to see this pulse input.

2.0 Hypothesis
The conductivity will continue to rise until it reaches its peak, at which time it
will start to fall until it stabilizes at a low value. The graph data should begin at a low
value and rise quickly to its highest point.

3.0 Objectives
• To examine the effect of a pulse input in a plug flow reactor.
• To construct a Residence Time Distribution (RTD) function for the Plug Flow
Reactor
• To understand the relationship of RTD and time by plotting a graph of
conductivity values vs time for PFR.

4.0 Introduction
Chemical engineers typically utilize a model known as the plug flow reactor
model (PFR, also known as continuous tubular reactor, CTR) to explain chemical
reactions in continuous, flowing systems with cylindrical shape. To estimate important
reactor variables like the reactor's size, the PFR model is used to forecast the behavior
of chemical reactors with tubular designs (vapourtec, 2022).
Numerous industrial applications involving gaseous or liquid phase systems use
plug flow reactors. The lack of movable compartments makes maintenance easier, and
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 PFR has other benefits including consistent product quality, high efficiency, minimal
pressure drops, and the ability to support operations with enormous capacity. PFR,
however, also has a number of drawbacks, including the inability to regulate the
reactor's temperature and the formation of hot areas if exothermic processes are taking
place there (Jaibiba, 2020).
To study about the performance of PFR, the RTD function is determined. RTD
is a distribution function that displays how long the fluid was utilized in the reactor. It
is typically used to describe mixing and flow inside reactors and to compare actual
behavior to the ideal model. At the reactor's intake, a tiny amount of salt solution is
injected to the tracer for pulse input. The pulse input graph will display a graph that
rapidly increases at first and then starts to decline after the maximum value is reached
(Baumgarten, 2021).

5.0 Material and Apparatus

• SOLTEQ BP 101 Tubular Flow Reactor
• Sodium Chloride
• Water

6.0 Procedure
1. The weight of solid Sodium Chloride needed to make 25L 0.05M sodium
chloride was calculated and mixed with water.
2. Deionized water was poured into feed tank B1.
3. In feed tank B2, a 25L solution of sodium chloride 0.05M was made.
4. Pump P1 was turned on after valve V9 was opened.
5. Deionized water was pumped continuously into the reactor R1 at a rate of
around 150 ml/min using the P1 flow controller set to F1-01.
6. Deionized water was allowed to circulate through the reactor until the values
of the conductivity at the inlet (Q1-01) and outflow (Q1-02) were stable at low
levels. At the intake and outflow, the conductivity was measured.
7. Pump P1 was turned off and valve V9 was closed. Pump P2 was turned on
after valve V11 was opened. At the same moment, the timer was set.
8. The P2 flow controller was modified to provide a steady 150 ml/min flow of
NaCl solution into the reactor R1 at FI-02.

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 9. After allowing the NaCl solution to circulate for 5 minutes, the timer was
restarted. The time would begin when the average pulse input was made.
10. Valve V11 was shut off, and Valve V9 was immediately opened. Pump P2
was unplugged.
11. Pump P1 was turned on, and the flow was kept at 150 ml per minute.
12. Every 30 seconds, the conductivity values at the inlet (QI-01) and outflow
(QI-02) were recorded.
13. The conductivity values were recorded until it constant or stable at low-level
values.

7.0 Results and Calculation

Flowrate for both input: 150 ml/min
Input type: Pulse Input
Time (min) Conductivity (mS/cm)
Inlet (Q1) Outlet (Q2)
0 0 0.5
0.5 10.2 8.3
1 0 2.6
1.5 0 0.6
2 0 0.5
2.5 0 0.5
3 0 0.5
3.5 0 0.5
4 0 0.5
Table 1. Data Result

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Conductivity (mS/cm)

5 Inlet (Q1)
Outlet (Q2)

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

-1
Time (min)

Figure 1. Conductivity vs Time Graph

To Calculate E(t),
Q(t)
E(t) = ∞
∫0 𝑄(𝑡)𝑑𝑡
Using Simpson’s 1/3 Rule:
𝑏
ℎ
∫ 𝑄(𝑡) = [𝑓(𝑋0) + 4𝑓(𝑋1) + 2𝑓(𝑋2) + 4𝑓(𝑋3) + 𝑓(𝑋4)]
𝑎 3
𝑏−𝑎
Calculate h, h = 𝑛

b = 2; a = 0; n = 4
2−0
h= = 0.5
4
2 0.5
∫0 𝑄(𝑡) = 3
[(0.5) + 4(8.3) + 2(2.6) + 4(0.6) + (0.5)] = 6.967 mS.min/cm

Calculate E(t) when t = 0,

Q(t)
E(0) = ∞
∫0 𝑄(𝑡)𝑑𝑡
0.5
E(0) = 6.967 = 0.0718 min-1

Time (min) Q(t) (mS.min/cm) E(t) (min-1)

0 0.5 0.0718
0.5 8.3 1.1913
1 2.6 0.3732
1.5 0.6 0.0861
2 0.5 0.0718
2.5 0.5 0.0718
3 0.5 0.0718

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 3.5 0.5 0.0718
4 0.5 0.0718
Table 2. E(t) Result

Residence Time Distribution Function

1.4

1.2

0.8
E(t)

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Time (min)

Figure 2. RTD Graph

8.0 Discussion
This experiment observe at the Plug Flow Reactor's residence time distribution after a
pulse input was applied. By combining the solid sodium chloride with water, 25L of 0.05M
sodium chloride solution is created. The weight of the sodium chloride can be obtained by
𝑛
using the variable C = 𝑣 , where C is the solution's concentration; n is the component's molecular

weight which can be obtained by dividing the component's mass by its molecular weight; and
V is the solution's total volume.
The impact of a pulse input toward a plug flow reactor may be seen clearly based on
the preceding experiment's findings. In that it starts at zero and finishes at zero conductivity,
Graph 1 resembles a pulse input. The spike's peak value is 8.3 at time t = 0.5 seconds, following
which it continues to fall until it reaches 0.5. (Steady-state).
Using NaCl solution as the tracer in this experiment allows the experimental
determination of the RTD of the PFR. Since NaCl is soluble in water and its concentration can
easily determine using a conductivity meter, it was chosen as the tracer. NaCl in water also
enhances water conductivity because it releases ions. The concentration of the tracer travelling
through the outlet may be roughly estimated by looking at the conductivity at the output stream.

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 The calculated integral value is 6.967 mS/cm. The E(t) value for each conductivity is
then calculated using this value, as given in Table 2. The graph of E(t) vs. time, which
represents the Residence Time Distribution in the Plug Flow Reactor, is shown in Graph 2. The
graph also displays the pulse characteristic graph, which shows an increase in the graph over
the first 30 seconds from 0.0718 to 1.2991 minutes. After that, it dropped to 0.0861 min-1 and
stayed there, 0.0718 min-1.
The final RTD is shown in Graph 2. resembles the pulse response of the PFR in Graph
1 in certain ways. The RTD is reduced, though. The value 1 is found when the RTD curve was
integrated using MATLAB. This is because RTD displays the amount of NaCl (the tracer) that
is going through the outlet at a specific time until the whole tracer has flowed through it.

9.0 Limitation and Precautions

There are several limitation and precaution in this experiment that may cause some
error value towards the data obtained. It is necessary to take the proper safety precautions in
order to get around these restrictions and mistakes.
1. The PFR has to be cleaned by letting water run for a few minutes until the
conductivity value stabilizes at a low level in order to avoid an error occurring
because of salt residues in the apparatus.
2. Make that the equipment receives a steady 150 ml/min flow of deionized water and
sodium chloride solution.
3. The outlet conductivity meter's precision has a big impact on the experiment's
accuracy. The conductivity meter exhibits several signs of malfunction during the
real experiment, ruining the outcome of the test.
4. In order to prevent the pump from being harmed by pumping solution to a closed
valve, it is crucial to immediately stop the pump after closing the valve.
5. To maintain a steady feed flowrate, the accuracy of the flowrate meter is crucial. In
order to get an accurate experiment result, the feed flowrate must be adjusted
because it will impact how many molecules travel through the PFR.

10.0 Conclusion
Based on the experiment's findings, it can be said that the PFR's reaction to a
pulse input is comparable to an impulse response in a dynamic process. It began at 0.5,
and increased to 8.3, then began to decline until it reached steady state at 0.5.

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 Additionally, it can be shown that the PFR reaction to a pulse input of lesser amplitude
is closely followed by the RTD. Even though it resembles the Bell Distribution Curve
in some ways, the RTD shape more closely reflects the PFR reaction to input than the
Bell Distribution Curve. The PFR's response to pulse input causes the graph to rise
immediately during the early phase and fall after reaching its maximum value.
Simpson's 1/3 formula was used to integrate this graph, and the result was 6.967 mS
min/cm. The graph in Figure 2 may be used to derive the Residence Time Distribution
function. As a result, this experiment is deemed successful since the optimal pulse input
graph could be obtained.
As a result, the researcher's hypothesis is solely supported by the PFR response
to pulse input, whereas it is refuted by the RTD of the PFR. As a result, the three major
goals were accomplished.

11.0 References
• Baumgarten, B. (2021, August 11). Residence Time Distribution. Retrieved from
folk.ntnu.n:
https://folk.ntnu.no/preisig/HAP_Specials/Felles_lab/Experiments/RE9_milli-
reactor_residence_time.pdf
• Jaibiba, P. (2020). engineering plug flow reactor. Retrieved from
www.sciencedirect.com: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/plug-
flow-reactor
• vapourtec. (2022). Plug flow reactor. Retrieved from vapourtec.com:
https://www.vapourtec.com/flow-chemistry/plug-flow-
reactor/#:~:text=The%20plug%20flow%20reactor%20model,flowing%20systems%2
0of%20cylindrical%20geometry.

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12.0 Appendix

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13.0 Rubric

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