Idealized reactor models

from the definition of reactor conversion, for the special case of a constant density reaction mixture  

Cw = initial molar concentration of Component / Cit = final molar concentration of Component i at time / 

Substituting Equation 5.41 into Equation 5.39 and noting that Ni0/V = Cio gives  

Ideal-batch reactor. Consider a batch reactor in which the feed is charged at the beginning of the batch and no product is withdrawn until the batch is complete. Given that  

Alternatively, Equations 5.37 can be written in terms of reactor conversion Xl  

In the second model (Fig. 2.16) the continuous well-stirred model, feed and product takeoff are continuous, and the reactor contents are assumed to he perfectly mixed. This leads to uniform composition and temperature throughout. Because of the perfect mixing, a fluid element can leave at the instant it enters the reactor or stay for an extended period. The residence time of individual fluid elements in the reactor varies. 

Consider now which of the idealized models is preferred for the five categories of reaction systems introduced in Sec. 2.2. 

Single reactions. Consider the single reaction from Eq. (2.1)  

Multiple reactions in parallel producing byproducts. Consider again the system of parallel reactions from Eqs. (2.16) and (2.17). A batch or plug-flow reactor maintains higher average concentrations of feed (Cfeed) than a continuous well-mixed reactor, in which the incoming feed is instantly diluted by the PRODUCT and 

The advanced reactor models are discussed in the subsequent chapters, only a brief introduction to the idealized reactor models are presented in this chapter as these models are principal tools for chemical reaction engineers. In particular, the idealized models are easy to calculate, and they give the extreme values of the conversions between which those realized in a real reactor will occur provided there is no bypassing of reactants in the reactor. 

Basically, the processes taking place in a chemical reactor are chemical reaction, and mass, heat and momentum transfer phenomena. The modeling and design of reactors are therefore sought from emplo3dng the governing equations describing these phenomena [1] the reaction rate equation, and the species mass, continuity, heat (or temperature) and momentum balance equations. 

A classification of dispersion models for fixed-bed tubular reactors, for example, is given by Froment and Hofmann [2]. For more complex flow patterns more elaborated and complete models are required where the flow fields are described via the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. The understanding of the complex flow phenomena involved as well as the solution of these vector equations make the problem much more difficult to analyze spending reasonable costs and efforts. The advanced reactor models are discussed in the subsequent chapters, only a brief introduction to the idealized reactor models are presented in this chapter as these models are principal tools for chemical reaction engineers. In particular, the idealized models are easy to calculate, and they give the extreme values of the conversions between which those realized in a real reactor will occur provided there is no bypassing of reactants in the reactor. 

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As with continuous processes, the heart of a batch chemical process is its reactor. Idealized reactor models were considered in Chapter 5. In an ideal-batch reactor, all fluid elements have the same residence time. There is thus an analogy between ideal-batch reactors and plug-flow reactors. There are four major factors that effect batch reactor performance ... 

Basic Concepts in Reactor Design and Ideal Reactor Models... 

The bread and butter tools of the practicing chemical engineer are the material balance and the energy balance. In many respects chemical reactor design can be regarded as a straightforward application of these fundamental principles. This section indicates in general terms how these principles are applied to the various types of idealized reactor models. 

In this chapter, we describe several ideal types of reactors based on two modes of operation (batch and continuous), and ideal flow patterns (backmix and tubular) for the continuous mode. From a kinetics point of view, these reactor types illustrate different ways in which rate of reaction can be measured experimentally and interpreted operationally. From a reactor point of view, the treatment also serves to introduce important concepts and terminology of CRE (developed further in Chapters 12 to 18). Such ideal reactor models serve as points of departure or first approximations for actual reactors. For illustration at this stage, we use only simple systems. 

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