Comparing Membrane Reactors with PFRs, Part 1

The obvious difference between membrane reactors and plug flow reactors is the absence of a membrane in PFRs. The only difference between our treatment of membrane reactors and PFRs is in the term R_B. Specifically, k_m, which reflects the ease or difficulty of transport through a membrane, will be zero for a PFR, since no membrane is present in a PFR. Therefore, R_B will also be zero for a PFR.

The following comparison is based on the conditions given in the membrane reactor example problems.

Break It Down for Me:

List of Equations

The same equations are used by both membrane reactors and PFRs (note that k_m will be set to zero for a PFR).

Summary Table -- Membrane Reactor

Summary Table -- PFR

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F_A, F_B, and F_C versus Volume -- Membrane Reactor

 

F_A, F_B, and F_C versus Volume -- PFR

 

Conversion versus Volume -- Membrane Reactor

Conversion versus Volume -- PFR