Material balance, batch reactor general

It becomes necessary to incorporate a total material balance equation into the reactor model, whenever the total quantity of material in the reactor varies, as in the cases of semi-continuous or semi-batch operation or where volume changes occur, owing to density changes in flow systems. Otherwise the total material balance equation can generally be neglected. 

In general, when designing a batch reactor, it will be necessary to solve simultaneously one form of the material balance equation and one form of the energy balance equation (equations 10.2.1 and 10.2.5 or equations derived therefrom). Since the reaction rate depends both on temperature and extent of reaction, closed form solutions can be obtained only when the system is isothermal. One must normally employ numerical methods of solution when dealing with nonisothermal systems. 

Consider a reaction represented by A +. . . - products taking place in a batch reactor, and focus on reactant A. The general balance equation, 1.51, may then be written as a material balance for A with reference to a specified control volume (in Figure 2.1, this is the volume of the liquid). 

By simplifying the general component balance of Section 1.2.4, the material balance for a batch reactor becomes... 

If the compositions vary with position in the reactor, which is the case with a tubular reactor, a differential element of volume SV, must be used, and the equation integrated at a later stage. Otherwise, if the compositions are uniform, e.g. a well-mixed batch reactor or a continuous stirred-tank reactor, then the size of the volume element is immaterial it may conveniently be unit volume (1 m3) or it may be the whole reactor. Similarly, if the compositions are changing with time as in a batch reactor, the material balance must be made over a differential element of time. Otherwise for a tubular or a continuous stirred-tank reactor operating in a steady state, where compositions do not vary with time, the time interval used is immaterial and may conveniently be unit time (1 s). Bearing in mind these considerations the general material balance may be written ... 

The semibatch reactor is a cross between an ordinary batch reactor and a continuous-stirred tank reactor. The reactor has continuous input of reactant through the course of the batch run with no output stream. Another possibility for semibatch operation is continuous withdrawal of product with no addition of reactant. Due to the crossover between the other ideal reactor types, the semibatch uses all of the terms in the general energy and material balances. This results in more complex mathematical expressions. Since the single continuous stream may be either an input or an output, the form of the equations depends upon the particular mode of operation. 

Briggs and Haldane [8] proposed a general mathematical description of enzymatic kinetic reaction. Their model is based on the assumption that after a short initial startup period, the concentration of the enzyme-substrate complex is in a pseudo-steady state (PSS). For a constant volume batch reactor operated at constant temperature T, and pH, the rate expressions and material balances on S, E, ES, and P are... 

Batch Reactors. The model for a batch reactor is obtained easily from the continuous flow reactor model by setting the liquid flow rate equal to zero wherever it occurs in the material balances. Simulation results showing the effects of varying the inhibition constant, initial organism concentration, and pH control will not be presented since the general effects of these at constant pH have been demonstrated previously (J). The results of these previous simulations indicated that in... 

An ideal isothermal single-phase batch reactor in which a general reaction network takes place nas the following general material balance equation ... 

Multiphase reactors can be batch, fed batch, or continuous. Most of the design equations derived in this chapter are general and apply to any of these operating modes. They will be derived for unsteady operation. The unsteady material balances include the inventories in both phases and mass transfer between the phases so that steady-state solutions fonnd by the method of false transients will be true transients if the initial conditions are correct. Compare Section 10.6. 

Now let us discuss how these features affect the various polymerization reactions and the resultant polymer. We start by considering the general material balance equation for the batch reactor ... 

Product Recovery. Comparison of the electrochemical cell to a chemical reactor shows the electrochemical cell to have two general features that impact product recovery. CeU product is usuaUy Uquid, can be aqueous, and is likely to contain electrolyte. In addition, there is a second product from the counter electrode, even if this is only a gas. Electrolyte conservation and purity are usual requirements. Because product separation from the starting material may be difficult, use of reaction to completion is desirable ceUs would be mn batch or plug flow. The water balance over the whole flow sheet needs to be considered, especiaUy for divided ceUs where membranes transport a number of moles of water per Earaday. At the inception of a proposed electroorganic process, the product recovery and refining should be included in the evaluation to determine tme viabUity. Thus early ceU work needs to be carried out with the preferred electrolyte/solvent and conversion. The economic aspects of product recovery strategies have been discussed (89). Some process flow sheets are also available (61). 

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