Solution: Isothermal vs.

Adiabatic BSTR
Aqueous phase reversible reactions of methanol and formaldehyde in a closed vessel occur in a BSTR
2 CH3OH + HCHO  CH3O-CH2O-CH3 + H2O
The reactor of 10 L is initially charged with stoichiometric ratio of methanol to formaldehyde with an initial
methanol concentration of 0.25 mol/L at 350 K.

coolant
The reaction follows elementary rate law.
constant

Discussion points

1. Isothermal BSTR: what is Q(t) and the coolant T(t)?

2. What is the time-dependent T profile for adiabatic reactor?
(a) If the temperature alarm is set at 450 K, do you think the alarm will be triggered in the
experiment? When?

2. For Isothermal vs. Adiabatic cases, which one has the higher final conversion?

3. If we want to increase the net reaction rate but still keep the reactor below 450 K, what should we do?
 Isothermal BSTR (Heat Profiles and Coolant Temperature)
350 K
3 0

-200
2.5
-400
2
n(i), mol

-600

1.5
-800

1
-1000

0.5 -1200

0 -1400

0 100 Time (Min) 200 300

 Solution: Isothermal (350 K), What is the Heat Flow and Coolant T?
Reactor T = 350 K
3 0 350 0
345
2.5
-200 -200
340

Q (Heat Flow) J/s

-400
335 -400
2
330
n(i), mol

Coolant T (K)
-600 -600
1.5 325
-800 -800
320
1
-1000 315 -1000
310
0.5 -1200 -1200
305
0 -1400 300 -1400
0 100 200 300 0 100 200 300
Time (Min) Time (Min)
 Adiabatic and Non-isothermal Operation of BSTR
1. Effects of T
a. on reaction rates (net rate, overall rate)
b. on equilibrium position
(for exothermic reaction, illustrated here)
What about endothermic reaction?

2. For compressible systems (e.g. gas phase isobaric reactions)

3. Heat transfer profile (as a function of T for isothermal system)

 General Mass and Energy Balance Equations
Species Molar Balance Molar flow rate Molar flow rate Rate of i (Molar) rate of i
of i in - of i out + generation or
consumption by = accumulation
within the
reaction system

- + =
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑖
ti𝑚e

𝑘𝐽
+ 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 - 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 + = ti𝑚e

=
 General Mass and Energy Balance Equations
Species Molar Balance Molar flow rate Molar flow rate Rate of i (Molar) rate of i
of i in - of i out + generation or
consumption by = accumulation
within the
reaction system

- + =
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑖
ti𝑚e

𝑘𝐽
+ 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 - 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 + = ti𝑚e

=
 General Mass and Energy Balance Equations
Species Molar Balance Molar flow rate Molar flow rate Rate of i (Molar) rate of i
of i in - of i out + generation or
consumption by = accumulation
within the
reaction system

- + =
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑖
ti𝑚e

𝑘𝐽
+ 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 - 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 + = ti𝑚e

=
 General Mass and Energy Balance Equations
Species Molar Balance Molar flow rate Molar flow rate Rate of i (Molar) rate of i
of i in - of i out + generation or
consumption by = accumulation
within the
reaction system

- + =
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑖
ti𝑚e

𝑘𝐽
+ 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 - 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 + = ti𝑚e

=
 General Mass and Energy Balance Equations
Species Molar Balance Molar flow rate Molar flow rate Rate of i (Molar) rate of i
of i in - of i out + generation or
consumption by = accumulation
within the
reaction system

- + =
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑖
ti𝑚e

𝑘𝐽
+ 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 - 𝑚 𝑐 𝑑𝑇 + = ti𝑚e

=
 Solution: Isothermal vs. Adiabatic BSTR

350 K Initial T = 350 K

3 0 3 550

-200
2.5 2.5 500
-400
2

Temperature (K)
2
450

n(i), mol
n(i), mol

-600

1.5 1.5
-800
400
1 1
-1000

350
0.5 -1200
0.5

0 -1400 0 300
0 100Time (Min)200 300 0 2 Time4(Min) 6 8
 Solution: Isothermal vs. Adiabatic BSTR

350 K Initial T = 350 K

3 0 3 550

-200
2.5 2.5 500
-400
2

Temperature (K)
2
450

n(i), mol
n(i), mol

-600

1.5 1.5
-800
400
1 1
-1000

350
0.5 -1200
0.5

0 -1400 0 300
0 100Time (Min)200 300 0 2 Time4(Min) 6 8