4.

THEORY
Continuous flow reactors have three types which are continuous stirred tank reactor

(CSTR), plug flow reactor (PFR) and packed-bed reactor (PBR). For this experiment, the
continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is used. Continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is also
known as vat or backmix reactor. It is normally operated at steady state and it assumed to be
perfectly mixed (Fogler, Nov 2010). There are three types of kind of phases present in the CSTR
which are liquid phase reaction, gas-liquid phase reaction and solid-liquid phase reaction. CSTR
is used primarily for liquid phase reaction. The CSTR are used when the agitation is required and
when there are series configurations for different concentration streams. The CSTR have a few
advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of CSTR are good temperature control,
continuous operation, easily adapts to two phase runs and easy to clean. The disadvantages of
CSTR are lowest conversion per unit volume and by-passing and channeling possible with poor
agitation.

The general mole balance equation

Figure 4.1 (from http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/cstr/index.htm)

V

F A 0F A + r A dV =
0

dN A
dt

Equation 4.1

The assumptions for this equation are:

a) Steady state. Therefore

dN A
=0
dt

b) Well mixed. Therefore rA is the same throughout the reactor.

V

r A dV =r A dV =r A V
0

Equation 4.2

Rearranging the generation

V=

F AO F A
r A

Equation 4.3
In term of conversion
X=

F AOF A
F AO

Equation

V=

F AO X
r A

Equation

4.4

4.5
Reactor sizing
Given that rA is a function of conversion, rA=f(X), the one that can size of any type of reactor.
The volume of the CSTR can be represented as the shaded area in the Levenspiel Plot as shown
below.

Figure 4.2 (from http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/cstr/index.htm)

Reactors in series
Given that rA is a function of conversion, rA=f(X), the one that can also design any sequence of
reactors in series provided. There are no side streams by defining the overall conversion at any
point.
moles of A reacted up
moles of A fed
X i= point i first reactor

Equation 4.6

Figure 4.3 (from http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/cstr/index.htm)

Mole balance Reactor 1
In out + generation = 0
FAO FA1 + rA1V1 = 0
X 1=

F AOF A 1
F AO

Equation 4.7

Equation

4.8
FA1 = FAO FAOX1
V 1=
4.10

F AO X 1
r A 1

Equation 4.9

Equation

Mole balance Reactor 2

In out + generation = 0
FA1 FA2 + rA2V2 = 0
X 2=

F AOF A 2
F AO

Equation 4.11

Equation

4.12
FA2 = FAO FAOX2
X2

V 2=
X1

F AO
dx
r A 2

Equation 4.13

Equation 4.14

Mole balance Reactor 3

In out + generation = 0
FA2 FA3 + rA3V3 = 0
X 3=

F AOF A 3
F AO

Equation 4.15

Equation

4.16
FA3 = FAO FAOX3
V 3=

F AO ( X X )
3

r A 3

Below is the Levenspiel Plot for Reactor in series

Equation 4.17

Equation 4.18

Figure 4.4 (from http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/cstr/index.htm)

5.0

APPARATUS

Reactor 3

Reactor 2

Pump 1
Reactor 1

Pump 2

Feed
tank 1

6.0

PROCEDURE

Experiment 2: The Effect of Pulse Input

Feed
tank 2

1. Feed tanks (tank1 and tank 2) are filled up 20L with deionised water.
2. 300g og Sodium chloride (salt) is dissolved in tank 1. The salts are ensured dissolved
entirely and the solution is homogeneous.
3. The V3 is set to position 2 and Pump 2 is switch on. So that deionised water from tank 2
will flow in to reactor 1 then fill up all three reactors with deionised water.
4. The flow rate (FT1) is set to 150mL/min by adjusting V4. Do not use too high flow rate
to avoid overflow. Ensure that no air bubbles are trapped in the pipings.
5. Stirrers 1, 2 and 3 are switch on.
6. The deionised water is continuing pump for about 10 minutes until the conductivity
readings for all three reactors are stable at low values.
7. The conductivity values at t0 are recorded.
8. Pump 2 is switch off after 5 minutes.
9. V3 is set to position 1 and Pump 1 is switch on. The timer is started for 5 minutes.
10. Pump 1 is switch off after 5 minutes.
11. V3 is set to position 2 and Pump 2 is switch on.
12. The conductivity values for each reactor are recorded for every 3 minutes.
13. The conductivity values are continuing recorded until the reading is close to the starting
value recorded.
14. The pump 2 is switch off. V4 is closed.
15. All liquids in reactors are drained by opening V5 and V6.

REFERENCES YG TIKAH GUNA

Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTRs). (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2014, from
http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/cstr/index.htm

Fogler, H. (2010). Continuous-Flow Reactors. In Essentials of Chemical Reaction

Engineering: Mole Balances (p. 4). Prentice Hall.