CSTR Pressure Relief Valve: Liquid Phase Reactions

[princessme]

There is a liquid phase homogeneous reaction going on in an CSTR, which operates at 4 atm. Is it necessary to have pressure relief valve? If so, what will be vent out when the pressure exceeds, since it contains liquid only?

 

[Bystander]

"Liquid" what?

 

[princessme]

"Liquid" what?

It's for esterification reaction. Free fatty acid + methanol to produce FAME.

 

[Bystander]

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ie50448a022
Reproduced in CRC Handbook, and I think Perry's. May include your esters (some) and give you vapor pressures.

 

[insightful]

All pressure vessels require a pressure relief valve (and possibly a vacuum relief valve). Sounds like you'd be venting mainly methanol vapor.

 

[Nidum]

You are designing equipment for a potentially explosive process without having any technical knowledge at all . I would strongly advise you to get help from professionals with experience in your field before proceeding further .