CHEMICAL REACTOR DESIGN

7TH SEM, B.TECH. CHEMICAL ENGG.

LECTURE-I

Subject Teacher - Dr. S.R.Mote

 The Syllabus
Unit 1: Fluid-Particle Reactions (Non-Catalytic Systems) Un-
reacted core model, Shrinking core model, Rate controlling resistances,
Determination of the rate controlling steps, Various contacting patterns
and their performance equations
Unit 2: Fluid-Fluid Reactions (Non-Catalytic Systems)
heterogeneous fluid - fluid reactions, Rate equation for instantaneous ,
Fast and slow reactions, Equipment used in fluid- fluid contacting with
reaction, Towers for fast reaction and slow reactions
Unit 3: Solid Catalyzed Reactions Rate Equation for Surface Kinetics,
Pore Diffusion Resistance Combined with Surface Kinetics, Porous
Catalyst Particles, Heat Effects During Reaction, Performance
Equations for Reactors , Experimental Methods for Finding Rates,
Product Distribution in Multiple Reactions, The Packed Bed Catalytic
Reactor
 The Syllabus
Unit 4: Gas-Liquid Reactions on Solid Catalyst . Trickle Beds,
Slurry Reactors, Three Phase Fluidized Beds, The General Rate
Equation, Performance Equations, selection of various types of
Contactor
Unit 5: Polymerization Reaction Systems. Pseudo-Steady-State
Hypothesis (PSSH), Searching for a Mechanism, Step
Polymerization, Free-Radical Polymerization, Development of Rate
Laws for the Net Rate of Reaction, Modeling a Batch Polymerization
Reactor, Molecular Weight Distribution and Properties of
Distribution
Unit 6: Steady State Non-isothermal Reactor Design. The
Energy Balance, Non-isothermal continuous flow reactors,
equilibrium conversion, non-adiabatic reactor operations, multiple
steady states, non-isothermal multiple chemical reactions
Reference Books
O. Levenspiel, Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd
Edition, Wiley India, 2006.
H. S. Fogler, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering,
4th Edition, PHI, 2005.
J.M. Smith, Chemical Engineering Kinetics, 3rd Edition,
McGraw Hill, 1981.
S.D. Dawande, Principles of Reaction Engineering,
Denett & Co, 2007
S. M. Walas, Reaction Kinetics for Chemical Engineers,
McGraw Hill, 1959.
 Unit 1: Fluid-Particle Reactions
(Non-Catalytic Systems)

A(fluid) + b B(solid) fluid products (1)

solid products (2)
fluid and solid products (3)
C (s) + O2 (g) CO2 (g) + ash (s)

2 C (s) + O2 (g) CO (g) + ash (s)

C (s) + H2O (g) CO(g) + H2 (g)

2 ZnS (s) + 3 O2 (g) 2 ZnO (s) + 2 SO2 (g)

4 FeS2 (s) + 11 O2 (g) 2 Fe2O3 (s) + 8 SO2 (g)

Fe3O4 (s) + 4 H2 (g) 3 Fe (s) + 4 H2O (g)

C (s) + 2 S (g) CS2 (g)

Models of fluid-particle reactions
For the noncatalytic reaction of particles with surrounding
fluid, we have
1. Progressive Conversion Model
2. Shrinking Unreacted Core Model
 Progressive-Conversion Model (PCM)
We visualize that
reactant gas enters and
reacts throughout the
particle at all times,
most likely at different
rates at different
locations within the
particle. Thus, solid
reactant is converted
continuously and
progressively
throughout the particle
Shrinking Core Model (SCM)
We visualize that
reaction occurs first at
the outer layer of the
particle. The zone of
reaction then moves
on inner side, leaving
behind completely
converted material and
inert solid (ash). Thus,
at any time there exists
an unreacted core of
material which shrinks
in size during reaction.
SHRINKING-CORE MODEL FOR SPHERICAL
PARTICLES OF UNCHANGING SIZE
Step 1. Diffusion of gaseous reactant A through the film
surrounding the particle to the surface of the solid.
Step 2. Penetration and diffusion of A through the blanket
of ash to the surface of the unreacted core.
Step 3. Reaction of gaseous A with solid at this reaction
surface
Step 4. Diffusion of gaseous products through the ash
back to the exterior surface of the solid.
Step 5. Diffusion of gaseous products through the gas film
back into the main body of fluid.