KC32203 Chemical

Reaction Engineering
Previous lecture:
Size the reactor
1. Find V to achieve specified conversion
(Given –rA = f(X)) + Examples
2. Compare CSTRs and PFRs + Examples
3. Tutorials

KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
Size the reactor
1. Overall conversions for reactor to be
arranged in series + Examples
2. Tutorial Questions

KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
Recall Example
2-5! 2 CTSRs in
series

ALSO Recall
Example 2-4! When
you compare CSTR
and PFR

Say if you want to use a PFR in comparison to

multiple CSTRs in series?
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Reaction Engineering
 Compare VCSTRs and
VPFR for X = 0.8

1 PFR for 5 CSTR in

series

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Reaction Engineering
 2.5.2 PFRs in Series
We learn that,

VCSTRs (in series) < VCSTR (single)

KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
 From Fig 2-8 and the Eqn below;

• The total reactor V for same X is identical

for 1 PFR or 2 PFRs in series
• Overall X of 2 PFRs in series is the same as
1 PFR with similar total V
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 • Use data in Table
Sizing PFRs in 2-3 or Fig 2-2
Example 2-6
series • For FA0 = 0.4
mol/s

Solution:
Find V1 when X1 = 0.4, and V2 when X2 = 0.8

KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
In addition to graphical integration, we could also use Simpson’s Rule
Simpson’s
three-point
rule
1st Reactor:

From Table 2-3;

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2nd Reactor:

Hence, the total V;

V1 + V2 = 551 dm3 + 1614 dm3

Same VPFR (single)
calculated for X =
= 2165 dm3 0.8!

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Reaction Engineering
 2.5.3 Combinations of CSTRs and PFRs in series
Consider;

Dimerize propylene into isohexanes

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Reaction Engineering
Assumptions:
Rxn in Fig 2-10 is similar with (Table 2-3)

From Example 2-5

1st Reactor:

2nd Reactor:
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We know that, differential form of PFR design eqn

Rearrange and integrate:

When V = 0, X = X2
V = V3, X = X3

3rd Reactor:

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Reaction Engineering
Most examples we have discussed are on isothermal system

Now, consider on adiabatic system

An adiabatic
Liquid-Phase • Use data in Table
Example 2-7 E2-7.1
Isomerization

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Reaction Engineering
 Find V1, V2, and V3 when FA0 = 50 kmol/hr

Solution:
Calculate FA0/-rA for each X

And tabulate results

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Reaction Engineering
 KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
Simpson’s
three-point X =(0.6-0.2)/2 = 0.2 and X1 = 0.2, X2 = 0.4, and X3 = 0.6
rule

Evaluate;

(c) For the last reactor @ second CSTR

Mole balance;

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Reaction Engineering
Rearrange;

Simplify;

From Table E2-7.2,

Hence,

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Reaction Engineering
2.5.4 Comparing the CSTR and PFR Reactor Volumes
and Reactor Sequencing
Based on Example 2-7

For adiabatic system!

VPFR > VCSTR VPFR < VCSTR (Chapter 8)

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Reaction Engineering
 • Shape of Levenspiel plots
• Relative reactor size

Suppose you are given Levenspiel plot:

VCSTR1 = 3 m3, VCSTR2 = 2 m3 and VPFR = 1.2 m3

Similar reactor volume calculation, but

reverse procedural and try and error
method! (Prob P2-5B)

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Reaction Engineering
• In most of the examples, they relate the FA0 and –rA = f(X) to
determine the V.
• CA0, T, P can also affect the calculation for V.
• Previous examples (eg: Table 2-1 when –rA = f(X)) are only
useful of full design of full-scale reactors operated at identical
operations (T, P, CA0).

• Must obtain –rA = f(X) as described

in Chapter 3

Show the relationship –rA = f (X)

from rate law and stoichiometry

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Reaction Engineering
 2.6 Further Definitions
2.6.1 Space time, 

Time necessary to
process one reactor
V of fluid based on
entrance condition

The time it takes for the fluid to enter

the reactor completely is the space
time,  (also known as holding
time/mean residence time)
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Reaction Engineering
Say if the volumetric flowrate 0.01 m3/s, the upstream vol
(dashed line) would need time, 

To move from point ‘a’ to ‘b’

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2.6.2 Space velocity (SV)

Liquid-hourly
(a) space velocity
(LHSV) Liq vol. flow rate, v0 measured at T = 60°F/75°F

AND

Gas-hourly space
(b)
velocity (GHSV) Gas vol. flow rate, v0 measured at standard T, P (STP)

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Reaction Engineering
 Reactor space • Refer reactor in
Example 2-8 times and Example 2-2 and
space velocities 2-3

Calculate the space time,  and space velocities for each of the reactors in
Example 2-2 and 2-3.

Solution:

From Example 2-1: v0 = 0.002 m3/s

Example 2-2: VCSTR = 6.4 m3
Example 2-3: VPFR = 2.165 m3

For Example 2-2 For Example 2-3

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 Summary
Possible to size CSTRs and PFRs individually or in combination, for as
long as the operation condition (T, CA0) is identical to those at which
the reaction rate data obtained

Scale up of laboratory-bench/pilot-plant reaction solely from –rA = f(X)

of f(CA)

For industry, obtaining –rA = f(X) under identical conditions is rare

Find rate law that gives –rA = f(CA)

Find CA = f(X)

KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
 KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
 KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
 KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering
 KC32203 Chemical
Reaction Engineering