Tic Tac: Isothermal Reactor Design - Ergun, Arrhenius, and Van't Hoff Equations
Concepts  Interaction of the Ergun, Arrhenius, and Van't Hoff equations and other considerations in isothermal reactor design.
Time 33 minutes ± 9 minutes
Reference Fogler: Chapter 4
 
Description
This module allows the student to examine nine reactor design problems, and investigate the effect of varying reactor parameters on process performance. The problems are organized as in a tic-tac-toe board. The reactors covered by these problems include PFRs, CSTRs, packed bed reactors and semi-batch reactors:

 

The student must master the concepts in enough squares to successfully win the tic-tac-toe game (Three adjacent squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). Each problem allows the student the opportunity to examine the effect of a specified operational parameter on reactor performance, using simulators:

 

After performing the “experiments” the student proceeds to answer the questions that examine the effects observed. These effects can be explained through the Ergun, Arrhenius, and Van'’t Hoff equations In many cases, competing effects are highlighted. The square is "won" by answering two out of the three questions correctly.

Grade Base Grade based on mastery of concepts within each square, and successful completion of the tic-tac-toe game.
Comments Some students have found the questions in this module to be slightly above their current level of understanding. They have mentioned, however, that the process was helpful in exploring these concepts.
Installation  Instructions for installing and using the ICMs are available.

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