STIRRED TANK REACTORS IN SERIES – Model : BP107

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Experiment 1 : The Effect of Step-Change Input

In this experiment a step-change input would be introduced and the progression of the tracer
will be monitored via the conductivity measurements in all the three reactors.

1. Fill up the two 20-L feed tanks (tank 1 and tank 2) with deionised water.
2. Dissolve 300 g of sodium chloride (Nacl) in tank 1. Make sure the salts dissolve
entirely and the solution in homogenous.
3. Set the three way valve (V3) to Position 2 so that deionised water from tank 2 will flow
into reactor 1.
4. Switch on pump 2 to fill up all three reactors with deionised water.
5. Set the flowrate (F11) to 150 ml/min by adjusting the needle valve (V4). Do not use
too high flowrate to avoid overflow. Make sure no air bubbles trapped in the pipings.
Switch on stirrers 1, 2 and 3.
6. Continue pumping the deionised water for about 10 minutes until the conductivity
readings for all three reactors are stable at low values.
7. Record the conductivity values at t0.
8. After 5 minutes, switch off pump 2. Switch the valves (V3) to Position 1 and switch on
pump 1. Start the timer.
9. Record the conductivity values for each reactors every three minutes.
10. Continue recording the conductivity values until the readings for reactor 3 is
equivalent or close the reactor 1.
11. Switch off pump 1. Close valve (V4).
12. Drain all liquids in reactors by opening valves V5 and V6.

Lab report :

1. Plot the conductivity against time for all the three tanks.
2. Compare your result with the model values from the solutions of differential
equations with a step-change inlet concentration.

Hints :

Solve the simultaneous differential equations for all the three reactors with sudden
increase of solute concentration using numerical simulation or Laplace Transform.
STIRRED TANK REACTORS IN SERIES – Model : BP107

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Experiment 2 : The Effect of Pulse Input

In this experiment a pulse input would be introduced and the progression of the tracer will be
monitored via the conductivity measurements in all the three reactors.

1. Fill up the two 20-L feed tanks (tank 1 and tank 2) with deionised water.
2. Dissolve 300 g of sodium chloride (Nacl) in tank 1. Make sure the salts dissolve
entirely and the solution in homogenous.
3. Set the three way valve (V3) to Position 2 so that deionised water from tank 2 will flow
into reactor 1.
4. Switch on pump 2 to fill up all three reactors with deionised water.
5. Set the flowrate (F11) to 150 ml/min by adjusting the needle valve (V4). Do not use
too high flowrate to avoid overflow. Make sure no air bubbles trapped in the pipings.
Switch on stirrers 1, 2 and 3.
6. Continue pumping the deionised water for about 10 minutes until the conductivity
readings for all three reactors are stable at low values.
7. Record the conductivity values at t0.
8. After 5 minutes, switch off pump 2. Switch the valves (V3) to Position 1 and switch on
pump 1. Start the timer.
9. Let pump 1 to operate for 5 minutes, then switch off pump 1. Switch the three way
valve (V3) back to Position 2. Swtch on pump 2.
10. Record the conductivity values for each reactors every three minutes.
11. Continue recording the conductivity values until the readings for reactor 3 is
equivalent or close the reactor 1.
12. Switch off pump 1. Close valve (V4).
13. Drain all liquids in reactors by opening valves V5 and V6.

Lab report :

3. Plot the conductivity against time for all the three tanks.
4. Compare your result with the model values from the solutions of differential
equations with a pulse input inlet concentration.