Does the type of reactor affect the rate law in a chemical reaction?

[gfd43tg]

Hello,

I noticed, when deriving rate laws, the assumption is that the reaction is happening in a batch reactor. Does the rate law of a chemical reaction change if put into some type of flow reactor?

Thanks

 

[Chestermiller]

What specifically are you referring to (mathematically) when you use the term "rate law?"

 

[gfd43tg]

Something like this

$r_{A} = -kC_{A}^{\alpha}C_{B}^{\beta}$

 

[Chestermiller]

Yes. This applies to all reactors, both flow and batch. But often, in the laboratory, the parameters in the rate expression are measured in a batch reactor (since it's easier to set up).

Incidentally, the reaction rate is usually expressed without the minus sign, so the rate represents the rate of disappearance of A and B.

Chet