TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS
1.0 ABSTRACT

2.0 INTRODUCTION

3.0 OBJECTIVE

4.0 THEORY

5.0 APPARATUS

PAGE NO.
3

3-4

5-6

6.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

7-9

7.0 RESULTS

9-16

8.0 DISCUSSION

16-17

9.0 CONCLUSION

10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

11.0 REFERENCES

17

18-19

19

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1.0 ABSTRACT
This experiment using the Tubular Flow Reactor (Model: BP 101) is
successfully conducted on which consists of two parts of experiment. The experiments are
Pulse Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor and Step Change Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor.
There are three main objectives in this experiment which are to examine the effect of a pulse
input and a step change input in a tubular flow reactor as well as to construct a residence time
distribution (RTD) function for the tubular flow reactor. In the pulse input experiment, the
flow rate has set up at 700ml/min and is left for a minute before reading is recorded for every
30 seconds until the conductivity reading is constant. In the other hand, for the step change
input experiment, the reading of conductivity is recorded also for every 30 seconds until the
reading is constant. From the data collected, graph is plotted and outlet conductivity of step
change smoothly increase until reach the constant value while outlet conductivity of pulse
input is increase at some period of times and then it is decreasing into the constant value. For
pulse input experiment, the residence time distribution calculated is 3.98924 minutes. Another
data calculated are mean residence time, variance (second moment), and skewness (third
moment) that recorded 1.8253, 22.732 and -7.4067. The negative value of skewness indicates
the negative skew. Compare with figure 7; for step change experiment show that the RTD is
increase within the time. The values of mean residence time, variance(second moment) and
skewness (third moment) are 0.00014 minutes, 0.00007 and 0.0000348 respectively. The
skewness give a positive value and it called positive skew compare to pulse input.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Tubular reactor is one type of reactor which has continuous flow fromthe variety of
reactors. This kind of reactor operates at steady state so that a few dependent variables
functions of position within the reactor than of time such as conversion of the chemicals. It is
a kind of batch reactor which able to provide high driving forces initially which then diminish
as the reaction flow in the tubes. Flow in the tubular reactor can be laminar flow and is
preferred to laminar flow because heat transfer and mixing are improved. Establishing
turbulent flow may produce inconveniently long reactors and might require unacceptably high
feed rates.
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Continuous flow of tubular reactor has no attempt to be made to induce mixing

between elements of fluid at different points along the direction of flow. It is the type of
continuous reactor for which the most appropriate first approximation that useful for
predicting its behavior is the assumption that the fluid moves through it like a plug. Many gas
reactions and some liquid-phase reactions used tubular reactors. For example, the thermal
cracking of hydrocarbons to make ethylene and the oxidation of nitric oxide as well as the
sulphonation ofolefines. The reactor only contains reacting fluid for homogenous reactions.
Sometimes tubular reactors operate adiabatically and with heat transfer through the
wall. If the reaction is exothermic the temperature naturally will rises along the direction of
flow and falls if it is endothermic. It is necessary for the reaction to remove excessive heat
along the reaction progress through the wall or otherwise it may cause undesirable side
reactions.
Application of tubular reactors :
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

High temperature reactions

Continuous production
Fast reactions
Large scale reactions
Homogenous or heterogenous reactions

Residence Time Distribution (RTD) analysis is a diagnosis tool that being used to inspect
the malfunction of chemical reactors. Besides it is also useful in modeling reactor behavior
and in the estimation of effluent properties. This technique is important in teaching reaction
engineering, when the non-ideal reactors become the issue and also being used for the
experimental characterization of flow pattern of a packed bed and a tubular reactor that
exhibit, axially dispersed plug flow and laminar flow patterns.

3.0 OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this experiment are :
1. To examined the effect of pulse input in a tubular flow reactor.
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2. To examined step change input in a tubular flow reactor.

3. To construct a residence time distribution (RTD) function for the tubular flow reactor.

4.0 THEORY
Tubular reactor is one type of reactor which has continuous flow from the variety of
reactors. In a tubular flow reactor (TFR), the feed enters at one end of a cylindrical tube and
the product stream leaves at the other end. The long tube function as stirrer which avoid
complete mixing of the fluid in the tube. So that the properties of the flowing stream will vary
from one a point to another, namely in both radial and axial directions.
Residence time (also known as removal time) is the average amount of time that a
particle spends in a particular system. This measurement varies directly with the amount of
substance that is present in the system. The following relationships have been developed in
order to analyze the residence time distribution of the fluid in a reactor. Liquid flow in the
reactor may require different lengths of time. The distribution of the exit times, is defined as
the E(t) curve, the RTD of the fluid. The outlet conductivity of a tracer species C(t) can be
used to define E(t). That is :
Cout t (t )
E(t)

Cout t (t ) dt
0

Based on the data collected, graph of conductivity versus time can be plotted to obtain the
C(t) curve and data of the integral C(t) can be calculate :

C ( t ) dt= Ci t= Area
0

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Figure 1: Theory of graph with its formula area under graph

Figure 2: Graph when distribution exit time is very abroad

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5.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

1.
2.
3.
4.

Soltec Tubular Flow Reactor instrument

Stopwatch
0.025M Sodium Chloride solution
De-ionized water

Reactor

Pump 2

Pump 2

Figure 3: Soltec Tubular Flow Reactor instrument

6.0 PROCEDURE
GENERAL START-UP
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

All valves are initially closed except valves V7.

20L of salt solution is prepared.
Feed tank B2 is filled with the sodium chloride solution.
The ON power button is turn.
The water De-ionizer is connected to the laboratory water supply. Valve V3 is opened and
the feed tank B1 is allowed to feed with the water.

6.1 EXPERIMENT 1 : Pulse Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor

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1. The general start-up procedures are well performed.

2. Valve V9 is opened and pump P1 is switched on.
3. Pump P1 flow controller is adjusted to give a constant flow rate of de-ionized water into
the reactor R1 at approximately 700ml/min at FI-01.
4. The de-ionized water is left to continue flowing through the reactor until the inlet (QI-01)
and outlet (QI-02) conductivity values are stable at low level. Both conductivity levels are
recorded.
5. Valve V9 is closed and pump P1 is switched off.
6. Valve V10 is opened and pump P2 is switched on. The timer simultaneously started.
7. Pump P2 flow controller is adjusted to give a constant flow rate of salt solution into the
reactor R1 at 700ml/min at F1-02.
8. The salt solution is left to flow for 1 minute, then is reset and restarted the timer. This will
start the time average pulse input.
9. Valve V11 is closed and pump P2 is switched off. Then valve V9 is quickly opened and
pump P1 is switched on.
10. The de-ionized water flow rate is made sure always maintained at 700ml/min by adjusting
P1 flow controller.
11. Both inlet (QI-01) and outlet (QI-02) is started recording for the conductivity values at
regular intervals of 30 seconds.
12. The conductivity values is continue recorded until all readings are almost constant and
approached the stable low level values.
6.2 EXPERIMENT 2 : Step Change Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor
1. The general start-up procedures are performed.
2. Valve V9 is opened and pump P1 is switched.
3. Pump P1 flow controller is adjusted to give a constant flow rate of de-ionized water into
the reactor R1 at approximately 700ml/min at FI-01.
4. The de-ionized water is left to continue flowing through the reactor until the inlet (QI-01)
and outlet (QI-02) conductivity values are stable at low levels. Both conductivity values
are recorded.
5. Valve V9 is closed and pump P1 is switched off.
6. Valve V11 is opened and pump P2 is switched on. Simultaneously the timer is started.
7. Both the inlet (QI-01) and outlet (QI-02) conductivity values are recorded at regular
intervals of 30 seconds.
8. The conductivity values are continue recorded until all readings are almost constant.

7.0 RESULTS AND CALCULATION

7.1 Experiment 1 : Pulse Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor
Flow rate : 700 ml/min

Input type : Pulse input

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Time

Conductivity (ms/cm)
Inlet

Outlet

0.0

0.3

1.6

0.5

0.3

3.6

1.0

0.2

2.3

1.5

0.2

1.5

2.0

0.1

0.3

2.5

0.1

0.2

3.0

0.1

0.1

3.5

0.1

0.1

(min)

Outlet Conductivity vs Time

12
10
8
Outlet Conductivity (mS/cm)

6
4
2
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (min)

Figure 4 : Graph of outlet conductivity vs time

C ( t ) dt
0

= Area under graph

Area = (t1 t2)

f ( t 1 )+ f ( t 2 )
2

For time ( 0.0 0.5 ) minutes

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t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )

= (0.5 0.0)

( 1.6+3.6)
2

= 1.3 g.min/m3

For time ( 0.5 1.0 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

E
Area = ( t2 t1 )
= (1.0-0.5)

( 3.6+2.3)
2

= 1.475 g.min/m3

For time ( 1.0 1.5 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )

= (1.5 1.0)

( 2.3+1.5)
2

= 0.95 g.min/m3

( 1.5+ 0.3)
2

= 0.45 g.min/m3

( 0.3+0.2)
2

= 0.0625 g.min/m3

(0.2+ 0.1)
2

= 0.075 g.min/m3

For time ( 1.5 2.0 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )
= (2.0 1.5)

For time ( 2.0 2.5 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )

= (2.5 2.0)

For time ( 2.5 3.0 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

E
Area = ( t2 t1 )
= ( 3.0 2.5)

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The total area or

C ( t ) dt
0

= ( 0.95+0.45+0.125+0.0625+0.075+1.3+1.475 ) = 4.4375

g.min/m3
C(t )
E (t) =

C ( t ) dt
0

For t = 0, C(t) = 1.6

E (t) = 1.6 / 4.4375 = 0.3605

For t = 0.5, C(t) = 3.6

E (t) = 3.6 / 4.4375 = 0.8112
For t = 1.0, C(t) = 2.3
E (t) = 2.3 /4.4375 = 0.5183
For t = 1.5, C(t) = 1.5
E (t) = 1.5 / 4.4375 = 0.3380
For t = 2.0, C(t) = 0.3
E (t) = 0.3 / 4.4375 = 0.0676
For t = 2.5, C(t) = 0.2
E (t) = 0.2 / 4.4375 = 0.04507
For t = 3.0, C(t) = 0.1
E (t) = 0.1 / 4.4375 = 0.0225
For t = 3.5, C(t) = 0.1
E (t) = 0.1 / 4.4375= 0.0225

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Time

Conductivity Outlet (ms/cm)

E (t)

0.0

1.6

0.3605

0.5

3.6

0.8112

1.0

2.3

0.5183

1.5

1.5

0.3380

2.0

0.3

0.0676

2.5

0.2

0.04507

3.0

0.1

0.02255

3.5

0.1

0.02255

(min)

Residence time distribution (RTD) function for plug flow reactor:

E (t) vs time
1
0.8
0.6
E(t)

0.4
0.2
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

Time(min)

Figure 5 : Graph of E(t) vs time

For time ( 0 0.5 ) minutes
t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )
= (0.5 0)

( 0.9624+2.165)
2

= 0.2930 g.min/m3

For time ( 0.5-1.0 ) minutes

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t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )

= (1.0-0.5)

( 2.165+1.3834)
2

( 1.3834+0.90225)
2

( 0.90225+0.18045)
2

= 0.33237 g.min/m3

For time ( 1.0-1.5 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )
= (1.5-1.0)

= 0.2141 g.min/m3

For time ( 1.5 2.0 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )

= (2.0-1.5)

= 0.1014 g.min/m3

( 0.18045+0.1203)
2

= 0.02817 g.min/m3

= 0.017 g.min/m3

For time ( 2.0 2.5 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )
= ( 2.5-2.0)

For time ( 2.5 3.0 ) minutes

t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )

= ( 3.0 2.5)

(0.1203+0.0615)
2

For time ( 3.0 3.5 ) minutes

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t 1+t 2

Area = ( t2 t1 )

= ( 3.5 3.0)

(0.03125+0.03125)
2

= 0.01127 g.min/m3

E ( t ) dt

Hence the total area under graph

= 0.99731g.min/m3

Residence time, tm =

E ( t ) dt
0

Time

Outlet

(min)

conductivity

= 4(0.99731) = 3.98924

E (t)

tE(t)

(t-tm)2E(t)dt

(t-tm)3E(t)dt

(mS/cm)
0

1.6

0.3605

5.737

-22.886

0.5

3.6

0.8112

0.4056

9.876

-34.46

1.0

2.3

0.5183

0.5183

4.6313

-13.844

1.5

1.5

0.338

0.507

2.094

-5.213

2.0

0.3

0.0676

0.1352

0.267

-0.5321

2.5

0.2

0.04507

0.1126

0.0999

-0.1488

3.0

0.1

0.02255

0.0676

0.02206

-0.0218

3.5

0.1

0.02255

0.0790

0.0054

-0.0026

5.8341

1.8253

22.732

-77.1083

Mean residence time, tm =

E ( t ) dt

= 1.8253

Second moment, variance,

( ttm )2 E ( t ) dt
0

= 22.732

Third moment, skewness, s3 = -7.4067

7.2 Experiment 2 : Step Change Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor
Flow rate : 700 ml/min

Input type : Step change

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Time

Conductivity (ms/cm)
Inlet

Outlet

0.0

3.3

0.1

0.5

3.4

0.3

1.0

3.4

0.4

1.5

3.5

0.7

2.0

3.5

1.9

2.5

3.5

2.2

3.0

3.5

2.2

3.5

3.5

2.2

(min)

Outlet Conductivity vs time

2.5
2
1.5
Outlet Conductivity (mS/cm)

1
0.5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Time(min)

Figure 6: Graph of outlet conductivity vs time

Time

Conductivity

(min)

(mS/cm)
inlet

Outlet

C(t)

E(t)

tm

Cit

Ci(t)/

t*E(t)/C

(t-tm)2*

S3

(t-tm)3*
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(Ci(t)

it

E(t)/Ci E(t)/Ci
t

3.3

0.1

0.5

3.4

0.3

0.15

0.00646

0.00014

0.00007

0.00003
48

1.0

3.4

0.4

0.4

0.01724

0.00074

0.00074

0.00074
1

1.5

3.5

0.7

1.05

0.04526

0.00293

0.00437

0.00654
7

2.0

3.5

0.9

1.8

0.07759

0.00669

0.01329

0.02648
8

2.5

3.5

2.2

5.5

0.23707

0.02554

0.06257

0.15482
1

3.0

3.5

2.2

6.6

0.28448

0.03679

0.10767

0.31904

3.5

3.5

2.2

7.7

0.33199

0.05008

0.17032

0.58758

=23.

=1.0000

=0.1229

=0.359

=1.09

03

Residence time distribution (RTD) function for plug flow reactor

E(t) vs time
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
E(t) 0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

Time(min)

Figure 7 : Graph of E(t) vs time

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SAMPLE OF CALCULATION

C ( t ) dt
0

= Cit = Area

So based on the table, Area is 23.2m2

Example of calculation at t=0.5min
tm = [t x E(t)]/Area
= [(0.5 x 0.00646)/23.2]
= 0.00014

= (t-tm)2*E(t)/Cit

= [(0.5-0.00014)2(0.00646)]/23.2
= 0.00007
S3=(t-tm)3*E(t)/Cit
= [(0.5-0.00014)3(0.00646)]/23.2
= 0.0000348

8.0 DISCUSSION
According to the experiment that had been conducted, we require to achieve three
objectives which are to examine the effect of a pulse input and step change input in a tubular
flow reactor as well as to construct a residence time distribution (RTD) for the tubular flow
reactor. The reactor is adjusted to give a constant flow rate of de-ionized water approximately
at 700mL/min. Once the experiment running, both conductivity for both inlet are recorded
with the interval of 30 seconds until all readings are almost constant and approached the
stable low level values.
For this kind of reactor, since the flow through the vessel is continuous mostly at
steady state, conversion of the chemicals used and other dependent variables are functions of
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position within the reactor rather than of time. We have examined the effects of flow for those
two types of input which are pulse input and step change. The flowrate is adjustable to
maintain at 700ml/min. For the experiment of effects of pulse input, figure 4; graph of outlet
conductivity against time has plotted. From the graph shows that at 0.5 minutes obtain the
highest value of outlet conductivity which is 3.6 mS/cm. After that value the graph keep
decreasing and form a constant value of outlet conductivity at 3.0 minutes. The experiment is
succeed since approaching the theory where the recorded value of theory is reaching zero at 4
minutes.
From the same corner, figure 6; a graph of outlet conductivity against time for the
experiment of step change input is plotted. Whereby the highest value of outlet conductivity is
obtain at minutes of 2.5 which is 2.2 mS/cm which then kept constant until 3.5 minutes.
Clearly we can see the differences between these two graphs, where the outlet conductivity of
step change smoothly increase until reach the constant value while outlet conductivity of
pulse input is increase at some period of times and then it is decreasing into the constant
value.
For the next objective which is to construct the residence time distribution (RTD)
function for the tubular flow reactor for both pulse input and step change. The residence time
distribution (RTD) of a chemical reactor is a probability distribution function that describes
the amount of time a fluid element could spend inside the reactor. Chemical engineers use the
RTD to characterize the mixing and flow within reactors and to compare the behavior of real
reactors to their ideal models. This is useful, not only for troubleshooting existing reactors,
but in estimating the yield of a given reaction and designing future reactors. Figure 5 and 7
shows the graph of E(t) against time which is plotted to examine the residence time
distribution (RTD). E(t) is the exit time. The plotted graphs show almost the same with the
graph stated at the theory. It can be concluded that the residence time distribution (RTD) is
depends on the outlet conductivity.
From figure 5; for pulse input experiment, the residence time distribution calculated is
3.98924 minutes. Another data calculated are mean residence time, variance (second
moment), and skewness (third moment) that recorded 1.8253, 22.732 and -7.4067. The
negative value of skewness indicates the negative skew. Compare with figure 7; for step
change experiment show that the RTD is increase within the time. The values of mean
residence time, variance(second moment) and skewness (third moment) are 0.00014 minutes,
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0.00007 and 0.0000348 respectively. The skewness give a positive value and it called positive
skew compare to pulse input.

9.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we able to identify the effect of both types of input which are pulse
input and step change in a tubular flow reactor. Besides, we also manage to differentiate both
the effect. The residence time distribution (RTD) function is also constructed for the tubular
flow reactor.
Graph for outlet conductivity, C(t) against time and distribution of exit time, E (t)
against time are plotted. The graph plotted almost the same as the theory which stated that exit
time, E (t) is depends on the value of C(t). The conductivity for inlet and outlet after 3
minutes for pulse input are both 0.10 mS/min and while for the step change is 3.5 mS/min and
2.2 mS/min respectively. The outlet conductivity, C(t) that had been calculated for pulse input
is 4.4375and for step change is 23.3. The distribution of exit time, E(t) is calculated for each
30 second until 3.5 minutes interval. The sum of E (t) for pulse input and step change are
5.8341 and 1.000 respectively. The mean residence time, tm for pulse input is 1.8253 minutes
and step change is 0.00014 minutes. The variance, 2 and skewness, s3 are also calculated. For
pulse input are 22.732and -7.4067 while for step change are 0.00007 and 0.0000348.

10.0 RECOMMENDATION
Throughout the experiment, in order to reduce the potential of inaccuracy in obtaining
measured data, a few recommendations and precautions must be considered during
performing the experiment.
First of all, for each experiment we must do the start up and start down procedure in
order to make sure there is no left over in the chamber and no leakage at the equipment.
Next, the conductivity should be taken for each 30 seconds sharply because the
reading changes rapidly in short time and may increase the error.
The flowrate for both input must be maintained approximately at 700ml/min. It may
produce different conductivity and disturbe the result as well as may disobey from the theory.
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Besides, we should do each experiment for at least two times. Then take the average.
This can minimize the error.
Last but not least, the experiment should be conducted at the stable and unshaken
place since the equipment is very sensitive to vibration which then may disturb the results.
Hence, by doing all these precaution, we can get more accurate reading and thus improve the
results.

11.0 REFERENCES

1. Retrieved from http://civil.colorado.edu/~silverst/cven5534/IDEAL%20PLUG%20FLOW

%20REACTOR.pdf
2. L9-Tubular Flow Reactor. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/doc/143020478/L9-Tubular-Flow-Reactor
3. Residence time distribution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5,
2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residence_time_distribution#Pulse_Experiments
4. TFR experiment. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/doc/142982324/TFRexperiment
5. Tubular reactor or plug flow reactor. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.metal.ntua.gr/~pkousi/e-learning/bioreactors/page_07.htm

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