Group C :-

Ashwani Kumar (2021CHB1038), Ishu (2021CHB1045), Rahul Kumar Saw (2021CHB1052),

Unnati Singh (2021CHB1059)

CH330: Lab Report

PLUG FLOW REACTOR (STRAIGHT TUBE TYPE)

Aim:
To study a non-catalytic homogeneous reaction in a straight-type plug flow reactor
under ambient conditions.
To determine the reaction rate constant, (k) for saponification of ethyl acetate with
sodium hydroxide at ambient conditions.

Description:
The setup consists of two feed tanks through which two reactants are fed to the reactor. The flow rate can
be adjusted and measured by using a peristaltic pump. The concentration of feed and the product coming
out from the reactor are analyzed by chemical titration.

Procedure:
1. Prepare 20L of N/10 NaOH solution by dissolving 80 gm of sodium hydroxide in 20L of
distilled water.
2. Prepare 20L of N/10 ethyl acetate solution by mixing 176 gm (or 196 ml) of ethyl acetate
in 20L of distilled water.
3. Take 10 ml of N/10 hydrochloric acid in a measuring cylinder.
4. Fill the burette with N/10 sodium hydroxide (Standard Solution).
5. Close all the valves.
6. Open the lid, and fill the sodium hydroxide solution in feed tank A.
7. Open the lid, and fill the ethyl acetate solution in feed tank B.
8. Pass sodium hydroxide and ethyl acetate into the reactor by allowing an equal flow rate
controlled by rpm.
9. After about 10 min or time equal to the residence time of the reactor (whichever is greater)
collect exact 10 ml of the sample from the outlet in the measuring cylinder that already contains
10 ml of hydrochloric acid.
10. Transfer the sample solution to a conical flask.
11. Titrate the solution, using phenolphthalein as an indicator against N/10 sodium hydroxide
(add NaOH from the burette).
12. Repeat the experiment for different flow rates of feed.

Theory:
In plug flow, the concentration of reactant decreases progressively through the system, and in mixed flow,
the concentration drops immediately to a low value. Because of this fact, a plug flow reactor is more
efficient than mixed flow reactors for reactions whose rates increase with reactants condition. In an ideal
plug flow reactor (PFR) there is no mixing in the direction of flow and complete mixing perpendicular to
the direction of flow. The concentration of the reactant varies along the length of the reactor but not in the
radial direction.

Reaction:
Formulas Used :
 Observations & Calculations

OBSERVATION TABLE CALCULATION TABLE

Sr. No. Va = Vb Na (RPM) Nb (RPM) V1 (ml) t (sec) Sr. No. M_HCLR (mole) Ca (mol/L) τ (min) k (L/mol min) Xa Xa/(1-Xa) Xa/(1-Xa) avg.
18.6 180 0.00014 0.014 9.142857 0.7200 2.571429
1 4 24.24 25.47 17.8 180 1 0.00022 0.022 5.625 4.525253 0.5600 1.272727 1.642496
17.6 180 0.00024 0.024 3.851852 0.5200 1.083333
18.6 180 0.00014 0.014 11.428571 0.7200 2.571429
2 5 30.303 31.847 15.6 180 2 0.00044 0.044 4.5 0.606061 0.1200 0.136364 1.090097
16.8 180 0.00032 0.032 2.500000 0.3600 0.562500
17.2 180 0.00028 0.028 4.888889 0.4400 0.785714
3 7 42.424 44.585 18.4 180 3 0.00016 0.016 3.214 13.222222 0.6800 2.125000 3.414683
19.4 180 0.00006 0.006 45.629630 0.8800 7.333333

DATA CALCULATED DATA

Working volume of reactor Vr (in Litre) 0.75 CAo (in mol/L) 0.05
Volume of HCl V_HCl (in ml) 20 M_HCL (mole) 0.002
Volume of sample V_samp (in ml) 10
Normality of NaOH in feed solution N_NaOH (in g eq/L) 0.1

Excel Sheet Used for Calculations -

Normality of NaOH used for titration N1 (in g eq/L) 0.1
Normality of HCl N_HCl (in g eq/L) 0.1 1
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MwCtO-JnppUuuF5Q-c-
Bx1Duy_211m0IbenNxU6WwgQ/edit?usp=sharing
Graph :

*The graph is not a straight line as expected due to the error in 3rd reading. We tried to
retake the last reading, but then there was not enough reactant in the reactor tank.
If we ignore the 3rd reading (3.214, 3.414683), we will get a straight line.
The slope S of that will be equal to 0.4910213244.

We know that S = 1/k*CA0, where CA0 = 0.05 mol/L

We get the value of k as 40.73142857 L/mol min.

Conclusion :
This experiment primarily focuses on examining the relationship between reaction rate
and flow rate within the context of a straight tube plug flow reactor. The impact of flow
rate modifications on the reaction rate in this specific reactor design has been
demonstrated through rigorous investigation and simulations. Through the process of
quantifying these changes, we have acquired a substantial amount of knowledge
regarding the behaviour of the reactor and its potential implications for the optimisation
and management of the process. This study establishes the foundation for future
investigations in the fields of chemical kinetics and reactor engineering, thereby
enhancing our understanding of strategies to regulate reaction rates for improved
efficacy in industrial contexts.