Abstract

Continuous-Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) is a perfectly

mixed reactor in which the contents are well stirred and
uniform throughout. The main objective of this experiment
was to observe the behavior of CSTR reactor and to carry
out the saponification reactions of sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) and ethyl acetate(CH3COOC2H5) in order to
determine the order of reaction (n) and the rate constant (k)
as well as to study the effect of volumetric flow rate on PH
values the main results that were obtained that order of
reaction.
Theory & Background
Simplistic models of CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactor) and
PFR (plug flow reactor) mixing behavior can be developed based on
the assumption that ideal conditions exist. Even though this
facilitates analysis, it is not always a very accurate representation of
true reactor behavior. The purpose of this laboratory experiment is
to determine which factors are influential in causing reactor behavior
to deviate from the ideal model.

The following assumptions are made for considering ideal behavior

in CSTRs:

 Well-mixed (no concentration or temperature gradients

throughout the tank)
 The outlet stream is identical to the contents of the reactor
 Constant volume

In chemical process industries, the chemical reactor plays the most

important role regardless of the chemical process design. The
chemical reactor is selected depending on the nature of the chemical
transformation of each substance in the process. Chemical reactors
may take different forms or designs and it is crucial to fully
understand the mechanism of a particular reactor in order to carry
out a specific chemical process.2

Continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) are the most widely used
type of reactor in chemical processes. In continuous stirred-tank
reactors (CSTRs), the reactants and products are continuously
entering and leaving the reactor, therefore CSTRs are considered
open systems. The conditions in the reactor are not time dependent
and operate at steady-state, while the exit streams share the same
properties as those inside. Continuous stirred tank reactors are well
mixed, leading to content uniform properties. The general design of a
CSTR consists of a tank with a constant volume along with an
integrated stirring system. Continuous stirred tank reactors are
mainly used in homogeneous liquid phase reactions that require
constant agitation and may be used in series. An example of a
chemical process where a CSTR is used is in the production of
antibiotics, such as penicillin.
Procedure
1. Start the two pumps to introduce the solutions into the reactor

2. Start the stirrer to a reasonable speed.

3. Adjust the flow meters to the required flow rates.

4. Wait till the reaction reaches steady state. When the temperature
and pH readings become constant (steady state is reached)

5. Record the pH and temperature, then stop the experiment.

6. Repeat steps 5 through 7 for three different flow rates at the same
temperature.

7. Repeat the experiment (steps 1 through 8) for two different

temperature values separated by about 10o C.

8. Using a graduated cylinder measure the volume of solution in the

reactor. Use this value in your calculations (this is the reactor
volume)
 RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The general reaction that was used for this experiment
between ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide is represented
below:

𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 + 𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐶2𝐻5 → 𝐶2𝐻5𝑂𝐻 + 𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝑁𝑎 . . . . . . . .(1)

The findings of this experiment were achieved at a constant
temperature of 22°C, and 4 different flow rates as shown in
table 1 below.

-
v0(ml/min) PH POH CA(mol/L) rA(mol/L.s) ln -rA lnCA
50 12.55 1.45 0.035481 5.38E-05 -9.83088 -3.33875
100 12.57 1.43 0.037154 0.000105 -9.16399 -3.2927
150 12.58 1.42 0.038019 0.000155 -8.77239 -3.26967
200 12.6 1.4 0.039811 0.000201 -8.51404 -3.22362
TABLE 1: CALCULATED RESULTS FOR CSTR EXPERIMENT

As can be seen, the PH values depend on flow rates of

entering streams, they increase as flow rates increased, and
this increasing resulted in a decrease in POH values because
H+ declined and OH- increased, as expected. The
concentration of the exit stream was calculated, and it was
shown to increase with flow rates while remaining below the
C0 value of 0.05. The rate of reaction was calculated using
the CSTR design equation, and it increased as volumetric
flow rates increased, which is consistent with the
relationship.
 cstr
-8.2
-3.2 -3.22 -3.24 -3.26 -3.28 -3.3 -3.32 -3.34 -3.36
-8.4
-8.6
-8.8
-9
ln -rA
-9.2
-9.4 y = 11.652x + 29.162
R² = 0.9496
-9.6
-9.8
-10
ln CA

Fig. 1: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LN(CA) AND LN(-rA).

Ln(-rA) vs ln (CA) was plotted to determine the order of the reaction
and the rate constant of it. The slope represents the order (n) which
was = 11.652 the intercept represents ln(k) =29.162

k was = 4.62*10^12 (mole-10 /L -10 .sec) For the reaction it can be

considered 11 order.
Conclusion & Recommendation
* Conclusion
1- PH has a direct relationship with volumetric flow rates
and it increases with it.
2- CSTR is required for continuous chemical process. And
have effective mixing and perform under steady-state with
uniform properties
3- Increasing the flow rates will increase the concentration
of NAOH in the effluent stream.
4- If temperature readings are raised, Ph. values will drop

* Recommendation.
I recommend to maintenance the device that measure the PH value
References
*Chemical Processing Manual

Appendix

Concentration of NAOH solution = 0.1 M

Concentration of CH3COOC2H5 = 0.1 M

T= 22 °C

V0 NAOH V0 (CH3COOC2H5) PH
(ml/min) (ml/min)
50 50 12.55
100 100 12.57
150 150 12.58
200 200 12.6