Chapter 2 Example

Use Levenspiel plots to calculate conversion from known reactor volumes

Pure A is fed at a volumetric flow rate of 1000 dm3 /h and at a concentration of 0.005 mol/dm3 to an existing CSTR, which is connected in series to an existing tubular reactor.

If the volume of the CSTR is 1200 dm3 and the tubular reactor volume is 600 dm3 , what are the intermediate and final conversions that can be achieved with the existing system? The reciprocal rate is plotted in the figure below as a function of conversion for the conditions at which the reaction is to be carried out.





Solution

By trial and error, we find that a conversion of 0.6 gives the appropriate CSTR volume of 1200 dm3

Therefore, the intermediate conversion is X = 0.6






Similarly for the PFR, through trial and error, we find that a conversion of 0.8 gives the appropriate PFR volume of 600 dm3

Therefore, the final conversion is X = 0.8




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