Chapter 13Example

Self Test 13.7: Maximum Mixedness Model

Calculate the conversion predicted by the maximum mixedness model for a second order reaction in a reactor with the following RTD

E(t) = 0 for 0 < t 10s

E(t) = 0.01 (t–10) for 10 < t < 20

E(t) = 0.01 (30–t) for 20 < t < 30

E(t) = 0 for t > 30

The rate law iswithand



















































Solution

ODE Solver Solution

We will use the polymath solution rule than the graphical solution

The maximum time at which E(t) is not zero is 30 seconds. Therefore

Let z = 30 – l or l = 30 – z

The RTD function can be expressed as

However, remember E(t) = E(l)

Numerical Solution

l

0

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

29

29.5

30

E(l)

0

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0.01

0.005

0

F(l)

0

0

0.02

0.079

0.18

0.32

0.5

0.68

0.82

0.92

0.98

0.99

0.9986

0

EF=E(l)

0

0

0.025

0.044

0.073

0.118

0.2

0.25

0.33

0.5

1.0

2.1

4.1

0

1–F(l)

Calculate backwards starting at l = 30

l = 30 X = 0

l = 28 X = 0 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0)2 + (0) (1.0)] = 0.24

l = 26 X = 0.24 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0.24)2 + (0.24) (0.5)] = 0.14

l = 24 X = 0.14 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0.14)2 + (0.14) (6.33)] = 0.22

l = 22 X = 0.22 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0.22)2 + (0.22) (0.25)] = 0.26

l = 20 X = 0.26 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0.26)2 + (0.26) (0.2)] = 0.287

l = 18 X = 0.341

l = 16 X = 0.395

l = 14 X = 0.45

l = 12 X = 0.45 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0.45)2 + (0.45) (0.25)] = 0.5

l = 10 X = 0.5 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0.5)2 + (0.5) (0)] = 0.56

l = 8 X = 0.56 + (–2) [–0.12 (1–0.56)2 + (0.56) (0)] = 0.666

l = 6 X = 0.643

l = 4 X = 0.678

l = 2 X = 0.7

l = 0 X = 0.72

One notes a slight difference between the conversion predicted by the software solution (X = 0.69) and that predicted by the backward integration using the very approximate Euler method. We would have achieved closer agreement if we had chosen a small step size, especially at the beginning.

Back to Chapter 13