CSTR Problem solution using Quadratic

equation method

Dr. S N Shinde
Associate Professor
Chemical Department BV(DU) COE PUNE -43
Overall Conversion =80%

(CA1-CA3)/CA1 = 0.8 …………….. 1)

CA1=10 kmol/m3 putting in eq 1) e get CA3 =2 kmol/m3

MODEL EQUATIONS FOR Tank 1

V1CA1-V2CA2 –VKCA2= d/dt(V CA2) ------------------2)
* V1 and V2 is flowrate
MODEL EQUATIONS FOR Tank 2
V2CA2-V3CA3 –2VKCA3= d/dt(V CA3) --------------------3)

At steady state and putting the values of CA1

0.02 * 10 –0.02* CA2 - V *0.2* CA2 =0

0.2-0.02CA2-0.2VCA2 =0 ------------------4)

0.02 CA2 -0.02 *2 -0.2 * 2 *V *CA2 =0

0.02 CA2 -0.04 -0.4VCA2 ------------5)
now estimate value of CA2 from equation 4 and put it in eq 5

CA2 = 0.2 /( 0.02 +0.2V)

Putting in eq 5 we have

0.02 * 0.2/( 0.02 +0.2V) -0.04 -0.4V * 0.2/( 0.02 +0.2V= 0

= 0.8 V2 + 0.16 V -0.02

Solving by quadratic equation method

-b ± (b2 -4ac)1/2 /2a

We get to values V= 0.08 m3 or -0.287 m3

Negative value can be rejected so V is 0.08 m3