Classification of Systems

For the purpose of modelling, Chemical

Engineering systems can be classified into two
broad classes:

Lumped parameter systems.

Distributed parameter systems.
•In Lumped parameter systems, the decision
and state variables are usually singular leading
to a singular time constant, whereas
•Distributed parameter system have their state
and decision variables as function of time and
position and therefore multiple.
 Classification of Systems contd…
• An example of lumped parameter system is
continuous-flow-stirred-tank-reactor (CFSTR or
CSTR).
• In which case, concentration is the state variable
and Temperature the decision variable are constant
throughout the system i.e. they are time-dependent
only and do not vary from point to point within the
system.
T, C

Figure 2: A CSTR with

concentration and
Temperature constant with
position within the system
 Classification of Systems contd…

• An example of distributed parameter system (DPS)

is tubular reactor.

• In a tubular reactor, concentration and temperature

vary with position throughout the system i.e. both
the state and decision variables are functions of
both time and spatial-geometry.

Figure 3: Flow through a long pipe

 Classification of Systems contd…
• With distributed parameter system, we take the
material and/or energy balance over a differential
time or space.
• In analysing lumped and distributed parameter
systems, we make use of two equations:
✔ The steady state equation, and
✔ Unsteady state equation.

• The modeling of lumped parameter system leads to

ordinary differential equations (ODE);

• Whereas the modeling of distributed parameter

system leads to partial differential equations (PDE)
in most times (especially transient modeling).
 Modeling Examples
•  

Figure 4: A stirred tank reactor

(Isothermal)
 Example 1: A perfectly Mixed Tank contd. …
• F = flow rate, V = volume, and ρ = density
(a) Applying total continuity equation, we have:

• Simply,

• In standard form, the accumulation term is usually

placed on the left hand side of the equation, so that
we have
(1)
 Example 1: A perfectly Mixed Tank contd. …
•  
If
then
Example 1: A perfectly Mixed Tank contd. …
• Integrating both sides, we have

(3)

(ii) then, in Eqn (2),

(steady state situation)

• Which implies, V = constant

 Example 1: A perfectly Mixed Tank contd. …
(b) Applying component Continuity Equation,
we have

In standard form,
(4)
V = constant; then we have

How?
 Example 1: A perfectly Mixed Tank contd. …

(5)

• The likely solution to Equation (5) is

(6)
• If condition (i) above applies, (but they are
constant rates) we have

• Substituting equation (3) into equation (4), we

obtain
 Example 1: A perfectly Mixed Tank contd. …

• Differentiating, we have that:

(7)

• Dividing through by , we have

(8)
 Example 1: A perfectly Mixed Tank contd. …
•  
(9)