Calculate Reaction Time & Vol for 90% Conversion in Reactor

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating reaction time and reactor volumes for achieving 90% conversion in a liquid phase reaction A + B → C. For a batch reactor, the time to reach 90% conversion is determined to be 230.3 minutes using the first-order reaction kinetics. In a continuous-flow reactor, the required volumes are 22,500 L for a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) and 2,250 L for a Plug Flow Reactor (PFR). The calculations also consider a scenario with a reversible reaction and an equilibrium constant of Ke = 2 L/mol to determine the necessary volumes for achieving 98% of the equilibrium conversion.

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  • Understanding of first-order reaction kinetics
  • Familiarity with batch and continuous-flow reactor designs
  • Knowledge of stoichiometry in chemical reactions
  • Ability to perform integration in reaction rate calculations
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Homework Statement


The elementary liquid phase reaction
A + B \rightarrow C
is carried out in a 500 L reactor. The entering concentrations of streams A and B are both 2 M and the specific reaction rate is 0.01 L/(mol min).

(a) Calculate the time to reach 90% conversion if the reactor is a batch reactor filled to the brim

Assuming a stoichiometric feed (10 mol A/min) to a continuous-flow reactor, calculate the reactor volume and space-time to achieve 90% conversion if the reactor is
(b) a CSTR (Ans.: V = 22,500 L)
(c) a PFR (Ans: V = 2,250 L)
(d) redo (a) through (c) assuming the reaction is first order in B and zero order in A with k = 0.01/min.
(e) Assume the reaction is reversible with ##K_{e} = 2 \frac {L}{mol}##. Calculate the equilibrium conversion and the CSTR and PFR volumes necessary to achieve 98% of the equilibrium conversion.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


(a)
I use the equation ##t = N_{A0} \int_0^X \frac {dX}{-r_{A}V} ##
t = C_{A0} \int_0^X \frac {dX}{-r_{A}}
I assume this is a first order reaction with respect to A, ##-r_{A} = kC_{A}##, and I know for a liquid phase reaction, ##C_{A} = C_{A0}(1 - X)##. Therefore, ##-r_{A} = kC_{A0}(1-X)##.
t = C_{A0} \int_0^X \frac {dX}{kC_{A0}(1-X)}
t = \frac {1}{k} \int_0^X \frac {dX}{1-X}
t = - \frac {1}{k} ln(1 - X) = - \frac {1}{0.01} ln(1 - 0.9) = 230.3 \hspace{0.05 in} min

(b) This is where I get stuck, I use the equation ##V = \frac {F_{A0}X}{-r_{A}}##
V = \frac {F_{A0}X}{kC_{A0}(1-X)}
V = \frac {10(0.9)}{0.01(2)(1-0.9)} = 4,500 \hspace{0.05 in} L
But this is not the answer given in the textbook, 22,500 L and I haven't figured out why.
For the space time,
\tau = \frac {V}{v_{0}}
where ##v_{0}## is the initial volumetric flow rate. ##F_{A0} = C_{A0}v_{A0}##, so ##10 = 2v_{A0}##, therefore the volumetric flow rate for A is 5 L/min, and since this is a stoichiometric feed, the total volumetric flow rate is 10 L/min, so the space time is 4,500 L/10 = 450 min.
 
Last edited:
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My problem was my assumption, I should have said that ##-r_{A} = kC_{A}C_{B}##, since this reaction is elementary.
 
Last edited:

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