Steady or Non-Steady? Understanding Reactor Dynamics in a Balanced System

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the dynamics of a reactor system where a reaction A → B occurs. It establishes that even with equal volumetric flow rates in and out of the reactor, the process is considered non-steady due to differing concentrations of compound A entering and exiting the reactor. The key conclusion is that steady state requires uniformity in concentration at all spatial locations over time, which is not met in this scenario.

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Suppose I am putting a compound A in a reactor where the reaction A → B is occurring. If the concentration of A coming into the tank and leaving the tank are not changing (meaning, the value of C_a in is not the same as C_a out, but C_a out stays the same throughout) and the volumetric flow rate in and out is equal, is the process steady or non-steady?

Since the flow rate in and out are the same, I would think steady state, but since the concentration in is not the concentration out, does that imply non steady?
 
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Woopydalan said:
Suppose I am putting a compound A in a reactor where the reaction A → B is occurring. If the concentration of A coming into the tank and leaving the tank are not changing (meaning, the value of C_a in is not the same as C_a out, but C_a out stays the same throughout) and the volumetric flow rate in and out is equal, is the process steady or non-steady?

Since the flow rate in and out are the same, I would think steady state, but since the concentration in is not the concentration out, does that imply non steady?

Steady state means that nothing is changing with time at all arbitrary spatial locations.
 

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