Understanding Reactor Balancing: Flow Rate and Volume Relationship

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the balancing of a reactor, specifically focusing on the relationship between inlet and outlet volumetric flow rates and the volume of the reactor. Participants explore concepts such as mass conservation, volumetric flow rates, and the implications of generation, consumption, and accumulation within the reactor context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how volumetric flow rates relate to the reactor volume, questioning if constant flow rates imply a constant reactor volume.
  • Another participant emphasizes that mass flows, rather than volumetric flows, are typically balanced in reactor analysis, asserting that mass is conserved while volume is not.
  • A participant mentions balancing moles using volumetric flow rates, providing a formula related to molar inflow rates and concentrations.
  • There is a suggestion that the questions posed could apply to simpler systems, such as a tea kettle, rather than being limited to reactors.
  • One participant asserts that the volume flow rate and reactor volume are independent parameters and suggests that the original questions indicate a lack of exposure to foundational concepts in reaction engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the relationship between volumetric flow rates and reactor volume. There are competing views regarding the importance of mass versus volumetric flow in reactor balancing, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the concepts discussed are foundational and may require prior knowledge of reaction engineering principles. There is an indication that the relationship between volumetric flow rates and reactor volume may depend on specific conditions or assumptions not fully explored in the discussion.

Rahulx084
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I'm confused in the balancing of a reactor , let's say the inlet volumetric flow rate is ##v_○## and outlet volumetric flow rate is ##v_1##
Doubts:
1) How is the volumetric flow rate and volume of the reactor ##V## are related to each other ?
2) If the volumetric flow rate is constant ( ##i.e## ##v_○=v_1## ) , is the Volume of the reactor ##V## is going to be same? If yes what's the reason,if not why not?
3) What does generation, consumption, accumulations means in a reactor and how these all are related together with the volumetric flow rate and volume of the reactor ##V## .
Thanks
Maybe these all are related to general mole balance
 
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We generally balance mass flows, not volumetric flows. Mass is conserved. Volume is not conserved.

All of your questions apply to any pipe and tank arrangement, not just reactors. So, try a simpler case first. Think of a tea kettle instead of a reactor .
 
anorlunda said:
We generally balance mass flows, not volumetric flows. Mass is conserved. Volume is not conserved.

All of your questions apply to any pipe and tank arrangement, not just reactors. So, try a simpler case first. Think of a tea kettle instead of a reactor .
Actually I'm balancing mole using volumetric flow rates ,e.g ##n_{a○}=C_{a○}.v_○##
Where ##n_{a○}##= molar inflow rate of species a
##C_{a○}##= concentration of species a inflow
##v_{a○}##=inlet flow rate
 
Rahulx084 said:
I'm confused in the balancing of a reactor , let's say the inlet volumetric flow rate is ##v_○## and outlet volumetric flow rate is ##v_1##
Doubts:
1) How is the volumetric flow rate and volume of the reactor ##V## are related to each other ?
2) If the volumetric flow rate is constant ( ##i.e## ##v_○=v_1## ) , is the Volume of the reactor ##V## is going to be same? If yes what's the reason,if not why not?
3) What does generation, consumption, accumulations means in a reactor and how these all are related together with the volumetric flow rate and volume of the reactor ##V## .
Thanks
Maybe these all are related to general mole balance
All of these things are explained clearly in books on reaction engineering, such as Levenspiel or Fogler. Your questions suggest that you haven't been exposed to anything on this subject yet. The volume flow rate and reactor volume are independent parameters that are unrelated.
 

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