Elements of
Chemical Reaction Engineering
6th Edition



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Essentials of
Chemical Reaction Engineering
Second Edition

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Chapter 17: Predicting Conversion Directly From the Residual Time Distribution

Topics

  1. Models to Calculate Exit Concentrations and Conversions
    1. Segregation Model
      1. Segregation Model Applied to an Ideal PFR
      2. Segregation Model Applied to an LFR
      3. Segregation Model Applied to a CSTR
      4. Mean Concentration for Multiple Reactions
    2. Maximum Mixedness Model
  2. Comparing XMM and Xseg
  3. RTD and Multiple Reactions
Models to Calculate the Exit Concentrations and Conversions top

If using mathematical software to apply the models described below, you may need to fit C(t) and E(t) to a polynomial. The procedure for fitting C(t) and E(t) to a polynomial is identical to the techniques use to fitting concentration as a function of time described in Chapter 5.

Use combinations of ideal reactors to model real reactors that could also include: Zero parameter models

  • Segregation Model
  • Maximum Mixedness Model                        
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One parameter models

  • Tanks-in-Series Model
  • Dispersion Model

Two parameter models

  • Bypassing
  • Dead Space
  • Recycle

 
1A. Segregation Model

Models the real reactor as a number of small batch reactors, each spending a different time in the reactor.  All molecules that spend the same length of time in the reactor (i.e., that are of the same age) remain together in the same globule (i.e., batch reactor). Mixing of the different age groups occurs at the last possible moment at the reactor exit.

Mixing of the globules of different ages occurs here.

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Little batch reactors (globules) inside a CSTR.

X3>X2>X1

                                                     


Mixing occurs at the latest possible moment.Each little batch reactor (globule) exiting the real reactor at different times will have a different conversion. (X1,X2,X3...)
 
 

        But, the mean conversion for the segregation model is Sorry, your browser does not support the audio tag. Please try using a different browser or updating your current browser.

1A.1 Segregation Model Applied To An Ideal PFR

Lets apply the segregation model to an ideal PFR and see if we get the same result for conversion as we did in Chapter 4.

 

Solve for X(t) for a first order reaction in a batch reactor.

For the batch reactor the conversion-time relationship is

Calculate the mean conversion

which is the same conversion one finds from a mole balance (Chapter 4)

Further Explanation of Mean Conversion in Segregation Model

1A.2 Segregation Model Applied to an LFR

For a Laminar flow reactor the RTD function is

The mean conversion is

The last integral is the exponential integral and can be evaluated from tabulated values. Fortunately, Hilder developed an approximate formula (=Da).


Hilder, M.H. Trans. IchemE 59 p143(1979)

For large values of the Damkohler number then there is complete conversion along the streamlines off the center streamline so that the conversion is determined along the pipe axis.

1A.3 Segregation Model Applied to a CSTR

1A.4 Mean Concentration for Multiple Reactions

Solutions Using Software Packages

For multiple reactions use an ODE solver to couple the mole balance equations, dCi/dt=ri, with the segregation model equations: d/dt=Ci(t)*E(t), where C i is the concentration of i in the batch reactor at time t andis the concentration of i after mixing the batch reactors at the exit.

 

1B. Maximum Mixedness Model

Mixing occurs at the earliest possible moment.

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Note E(l)=E(t)                 

E(l)dl =Fraction of molecules that have a life expectancy between l+dl and  l.

 


Modeling maximum mixedness as a plug flow reactor with side entrances.

           

                                                 

 

                           

 

Dividing byDland taking the limit asDlgoes to zero. Substitute,

                                          Differentiating the first term and recalling we obtain.

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We need to integrate backwards from(the entrance) to= 0 (the exit). In real systems we have some maximum value of(say= 200 minutes) rather thanminutes. Consequently we integrate backward from= 200. However, because most ODE packages will not integrate backwards, we have to use the transfer

z = T -to integrate forward

Thus 

In terms of conversion,

                        

                                                   

 

Calculate Xmm and Xseg
 
Comparing Segregation and Maximum Mixedness Predictions top


For example, if the rate law is a power law model

From the product [(n)(n-1)], we see

If   n > 1,   then     > 0   and Xseg > Xmm

If   n < 0,   then     > 0   and Xseg > Xmm

If   0 > n < 1,   then     < 0   and Xseg < Xmm

 
Multiple Reactions and RTD Data top

For multiple reactions use an ODE solver to couple the mole balance equations, dCi/dt=ri (where ri is the net rate of reaction), with the segregation model equations: dCi/dt=Ci(t)*E(t) as previously shown.  For maximum mixedness:

 

To obtain solutions with an ODE solver, first fit E(t) to a polynomial or several polynomials. Then let z = T -where T is the largest time in which E(t) is recorded. Proceed to solve the resulting equations.

Batch, PFR, CSTR, Segregation
Maximum Mixedness Model
Object Assessment of Chapter 17


  * All chapter references are for the 4th Edition of the text Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering .

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