Tubular flow reactors consecutive reactions

Tubular flow reactors—minimum volume for second-order reversible reactions, maximum yield of consecutive reactions, minimum cost with and without recycle, and maximum profit with recycle... 

If the first reaction is slow and the second reaction is fast, it will be extremely difficult to produce species B. If the first reaction (formation of B) is fast and the reaction to form C is slow, a large yield of B can be achieved. However, if the reaction is allowed to proceed for a long time in a batch reactor, or if the tubular flow reactor is too long, the desired product B will be converted to C. In no other type of reaction is exactness in the calculation of the time needed to carry out the reaction more important than in consecutive reactions. 

Fig. 4-16 Selectivity for consecutive reactions m stirred-tank and tubular-flow reactors...

Ortho-xylene (A) is oxidised to phthalic anhydride (B) in an ideal, continuous flow tubular reactor. The reaction proceeds via the complex consecutive parallel reaction sequence, shown below. The aim of the reaction is to produce the maximum yield of phthalic anhydride and the minimum production of waste gaseous products (C), which are CO2 and CO. 

Fig. 1.25. Reaction in series—batch or tubular plug-flow reactor. Concentration Cr of intermediate product P for consecutive first order reactions, A -> P -> Q...

Fig. 1.28. Reactions in series—comparison between batch or tubular plug-flow reactor and a single continuous stirred-tank reactor. Consecutive first-order reactions,...

Triethanolamine is produced from ethylene oxide and ammonia at 5 atm total pressure via three consecutive elementary chemical reactions in a gas-phase plug-flow tubular reactor (PFR) that is not insulated from the surroundings. Ethylene oxide must react with the products from the first and second reactions before triethanolamine is formed in the third elementary step. The reaction scheme is described below via equations (1-1) to (1-3). All reactions are elementary, irreversible, and occur in the gas phase. In the first reaction, ethylene oxide, which is a cyclic ether, and ammonia combine to form monoethanolamine ... 

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