4. Isothermal Reactor Design

Learning Resources

Membrane Reactor - Solved Problem

A membrane reactor is used for the reaction , where the membrane is permeable to product B, but not to reactant A or product C.

Additional Information:

	P0	6.0 atm
	T0	373 K
	k	0.7 min-1
	KC	0.05 mol/dm3
	km	0.2 min-1
	FA0	15 mol/min
	FB0 = FC0 =	0 mol/min

Consider the following questions:

1. What volume is required for the base case membrane reactor?

Solution

2. What if the membrane transfer coefficient, k_m , were 0.002 min^-1?
   Compare plots of molar flow rates versus volume and conversion
   versus volume for this case with your base case.

Solution

3. What if the membrane transfer coefficient, k_m , were 20.0 min^-1?
   Compare plots of molar flow rates versus volume and conversion
   versus volume for this case with your base case.

Solution

4. What if the base case flow rate were changed from 15 mol/min to 5 mol/min?
   How would this affect the behavior of the membrane reactor?

Solution

5. What if the base case flow rate were changed from 15 mol/min to 25 mol/min?
   How would this affect the behavior of the membrane reactor?

Solution