CCB3043 KINETICS AND REACTOR DESIGN (January 2015)

Tutorial 1
1. The irreversible gas phase non-elementary reaction, A + 2B C, is to be
carried out isothermally in a constant-pressure batch reactor. The feed is at a
temperature of 227oC, and pressure of 1013 kPa. The composition of the feed
is 33.3% A and 66.7% B. The lab data taken under identical condition is as
follows:
-rA (mol/dm3.min) x
103
X

0.01

0.005

0.002

0.001

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

a. Estimate the volume of plug flow reactor required for 30% conversion of A
for entering volumetric flow rate of 2 m3/min
b. Estimate the volume of the CSTR required to take the effluent from the
plug flow reactor in part (a) to achieve the final total conversion of 50%.
c. Plot the graph of reaction rate and conversion as a function of PFR volume.
Comment on the graph profile that you have obtained.
[P2-8, C4, C5]

2. The figure below represents a typical gas-solid catalytic exothermic reaction

carried out adiabatically. Assuming that you have a fluidized CSTR and a PBR
containing catalyst, suggest a suitable reactor arrangement to achieve 80%
conversion using the smallest amount of catalyst. Determine the weight of
catalyst required in each reactor.

[P2-12, C5]

CCB3043 KINETICS AND REACTOR DESIGN (January 2015)