RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION IN CSTR

1. OBJECTIVE

To determine the residence time distribution in the given configuration for pulse input.

2. INTRODUCTION

The experimental procedures employed in the present work are

oriented towards the evaluation of residence time distribution in a CSTR.
In a continuous flow reactor, the feed to reactor and the discharge
from it are continuous.
Tracer studies are conducted to monitor the performance of CSTRs,
by comparing actual experimental data with theoretical models. The nature of
the tracer peak gives an indication of the non-ideality that would be
characteristic of the reactor under study. Thus the objective is to observe the
dispersion that occurs in a Tank Reactor by means of a tracer study and to
determine the Residence Time Distribution by the Stimulus-Response
technique.
The residence time distribution (RTD) for the unit is determined by
measuring the response to a near pulse input. Water from the over head tank is
allowed to flow through the unit. When the steady state is reached, the tracer is
introduced into the reactor inlet. A pipet is used to inject 1 ml of tracer (nearly
2N NaOH solution) in the reactor inlet. Samples of reactor effluent are
collected at frequent intervals (of 5 seconds). The sample collection is done for
sufficient time interval (for t>5E, where E is the average retention time). The
flow rate is then varied and the above mentioned procedure is repeated.

3. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

1. Prepare 2N NaOH solutions..

2. Adjust the apparatus to constant flow rate.

3. Inject tracer and Record the conductivity when steady state is reached.

4. Repeat the same procedure for different flow rates.

 4. Measurement of the RTD

The RTD is determined experimentally by injecting a chemical that

is inert called a tracer, into the reactor at some initial time. The concentration of
the tracer is then measured in the effluent stream as a function of time. To
ensure that the tracer truly reflects the behaviour of the reactant mixture
flowing through the reactor, it is important that the tracer have certain
characteristics such as:

Having properties similar to the reactor mixture

Be soluble in the reacting mixture

Should not absorb on the surfaces of the reactor.

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The method of injecting the tracer is very important for the
determination of the RTD. The two most used methods of injection is a pulse
input and a step input. Injection with a pulse input is briefly described, as this is
the method that will be used in the experimental work. With a pulse input an
amount of tracer is injected into the feed stream entering the reactor in a very
short period of time.

It must be ensured that the time or period of injection be small when compared
to the residence times of the chemical reactor. In addition, there must be, at the
most, a small amount of dispersion occurring between the point of injection and
the entrance to the reactor, if these aspects can be overcome, the RTD can be
obtained simply and directly
Table 4.1 Experimental RTD Studies in Annulus with Mixing Elements
of Volumetric Flow Rate = 40 l/hr

Time(t) Residence Residence time

Sl.No. Concentration(C)
(Sec) time( ) distribution E( )
1
2

5. CONCLUSION

The solution of water and 2N NaOH is poured into the reactor. The
same procedure is repeated for different flow rates.