CSTR

Continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTRs) are open systems, where material is free
to enter or exit the system, that operate on a steady-state basis, where the
conditions in the reactor don't change with time. Reactants are continuously
introduced into the reactor, while products are continuously removed.

Run at steady state with continuous flow of reactants and products; the feed
assumes a uniform composition throughout the reactor, exit stream has the same
composition as in the tank.

APPLICATION

 Continuous flow stirred-tank reactors are usually applied in waste water

treatment processes.
 CSTRs are also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a loop reactor.
 Fermenters are another application of CSTR s that involve the use of a
biological catalyst to generate products
 Fermenters are used in many industries such as brewing, pharmaceuticals,
wastewater treatment, and hydrocarbon processing

ADVANTAGES:

 Continuous operation
 CSTRs facilitate rapid dilution rates which make them resistant to
both high pH and low pH volatile fatty acid wastes.
 Good temperature control is easily maintained
 Cheap to construct
 Reactor has large heat capacity
 Easily adapts to two phase runs
 Good control
 Simplicity of construction
 Low operating (labor) cost
 Easy to clean
  Interior of reactor is easily accessed

DISADVANTAGES:

 Conversion of reactant to product per volume of reactor is small compared

to other flow reactors
 Dead zones, where no mixing occurs, can develop
 Reactants can bypass if outlet placed improperly
 By-passing and channeling possible with poor agitation
 CSTRs are less efficient compared to other types of reactors as they require
larger reactor volumes to achieve the same reaction rate as other reactor
models such as Plug Flow Reactors

KINDS OF PHASES PRESENT IN CSTR

1. Liquid phase
2. Gas-liquid rxns
3. Solid-liquid rxns