Course: CHE472 CHEMICAL REACTION

ENGINEERING 1 (3 credits /Compulsory).

Course duration: 15 weeks (45hrs)
As taught 2011/2012 session

Lecturers:
1

Eletta O.A.A.
Ph.D. Chemistry (Ilorin), M.Sc. Chemical Engineering (Lagos), B.Sc.
Chemical Engineering, (Lagos)
Email: modeletta@unilorin.edu.ng
Consultation hours: Tuesday 2 -3 pm
2

Ajala, O.E.
M.Sc. Chemical Engineering (Ile-Ife), B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
(Ogbomoso).
Email: ajala.oe@unilorin.edu.ng
Consultation hours: Wednesday 2 -3 pm
Developer: Dr O.A.A. Eletta
Location
1: Room 6: Chemical Engineering Building
2: Room 1: Chemical Engineering Building
Course Content
Classification and types of reactions and their rate equations. Kinetics of
Reactions in gas and liquid phases. Design equations of single reactors. Single
ideal reactions. Batch, mixed flow and plug flow reactors. Space time, space
velocity, holding time, mean residence time. Size comparison of single reactors.
Design of multiple reactors. 45h(T) C
Course Description
Chemical reaction engineering deals with the exploitation of chemical
reactions on a large scale. For any thermodynamically permissible chemical
reaction, the goal is the transformation of reactants to product and, chemical
kinetics and reactor design form the bedrock for all meaningful production.
The problem of reaction analysis and design is solved using chemical
kinetic law or models in connection with physical parameters such as the
heat transfer coefficients and ideally create a mathematical model. Reactor
design uses information, knowledge and experience from, fluid mechanics,
heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and economics.
All these are employed in the proper design of a chemical reactor.
The

course is to introduce students to the design of various reactor types (single

ideal reactors, batch, mixed and plug flow reactors)
Course Justification: The product of a reaction is usually the product of a
good reactor design to this extent, there is the need for a student to
understand the kinetics of a reaction which then informs the choice of the
reactor to give the optimum yield. What changes are expected and how fast
will these changes occur. Pertinent questions that must be answered by a
chemical Engineer hence the need for a study of chemical reaction
engineering
Course Objective (s): To develop a fundamental understanding of reaction
engineering. To be able to make right reactor choices to give maximum
product. The successful design and operation of chemical reactors is the aim
of this course. At the end of the course, students are expected to be familiar
with a structured approach to the design of chemical reactors. Students
should have a good understanding of the factors that affect the choice of
reactor system.
Course Requirements:
All students in chemical engineering are expected to have 75% attendance
at lectures besides writing continuous assessment tests and examination.
The 75% attendance qualifies a student to write the final examination.
Method of grading:
No
1
2
3

Item
Score %
CA (Quiz, Assignment, 30
Test etc)
Examination
70
Total
100

Course Delivery Strategies:

The lecture will be delivered through face-to-face method. It is expected that
students will prepare ahead of the class since they have a prepared
courseware to guide them. Tutorials will be handled through interactions in
the class after solving examples as a guide.
LECTURES
Week 1 and 2 : The scope of work, the mode of lecture delivery, the
reading texts, the mode of testing will be introduced. A review of kinetics and
catalysis as taught at the 300 level will be done. Identification of different
reaction types.

Objective:
To refresh what the students had learnt at the 300 level on
kinetics and establish a link with reaction engineering as a key aspect of the
reactor design.
Description: Introduction of the course outline, relevant textbooks and
mode of lecture delivery. The various types of reactions will be discussed.
Study Questions

1. Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions.

2. List the factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction

Reading list
1. 1Carberry, J.J., 2001, Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering,
Dover Publications Inc.
ISBN 0 486 -41737-0
2. 1Fogler, H.S,
2005, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering,
Prentice Hall of India, 3rd edition.
ISBN 81-317-1430-6
3. 1Octave. L., 2007, Chemical Reaction Engineering, WILEY INDIA 3 rd
ed.
ISBN 9971-51-241-6
Week 3 -5: Classification of types of reaction and the reaction rates
Objective: To Investigate the various types of reactions carried out in
chemical reactors and their reaction rate. To define reaction rate, identify
reactor types, and study the kinetics of reaction.
Description: Reactions are classified based on the number and types of
phases involved. The reaction is said to be homogeneous if the reaction
takes place in a single phase. It is heterogeneous if it requires at least two
phases to proceed at the rate that it does.
The rate of reaction of a component i could be based on either of the
following, it could be based on unit volume of reacting fluid
moles of I formed
; based on mass of solid in the fluid solid system;
( volume of fluid )( time )
moles of i formed
;
it could be based on unit interfacial surface in 2
( mass of solid ) (time )
fluid systems or based on unit surface of solid in a gas solid system or on
unit volume of the reactor.
With the enzyme substrate reactions, this
classification is not as clear cut. Different reactions are carried out optimally
in different types of reactors. We have the batch reactor in which all the
reactants are introduced at once and the product removed at the end of the
reaction. This is used for small scale operations. The continuous stirred
tank reactor in which reactants are fed continuously and products are also
withdrawn continuously. This type of reactor is commonly employed in
industrial processing. Other types of reactors are, the tubular reactor, the
packed bed reactor among others.

Study Questions
A
=4 2A , atm/hr
t

1. For a gas reaction at 127 oC, the rate is reported as,

a. Determine the units of the rate constant

A=

b. If the rate is given in concentration term,

1 NA
=k C 2A
V t
r

mol/lhr

determine the value of the rate constant

2. The primary reaction occurring in the homogeneous decomposition of nitrous

1
2

oxide is found to be N 2 O N 2+ O 2 with rate -

r N O=
2

k1 [ N O]

devise

1+k 2 [ N O ]
2

a mechanism to explain this observed rate.

Reading list
1. 1Carberry, J.J., 2001, Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering,
Dover Publications Inc.
ISBN 0 486 -41737-0
1
2. Fogler, H.S,
2005, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering,
Prentice Hall of India, 3rd edition.
ISBN 81-3171430-6
3. 1Octave, L., 2007, Chemical Reaction Engineering, WILEY INDIA 3rd
ed.
ISBN 9971-51-241-6

Study Questions
1. A homogeneous liquid phase reaction

R,

- rA

2
A

Takes place with 50% conversion in a mixed reactor, determine the

conversion if the reactor is replaced with one that is 4 times as largeevery other condition remaining unchanged.
Hence determine the effect of change in size on the percent conversion.
Repeat exercise for 2 times and 6 times as large.
2. For a gas phase reaction 2A = R + 2S with unknown kinetics if a space
velocity of 1/min is needed for 90 % conversion of A in a plug flow reactor,
find the corresponding space time and mean residence time or holding
time of fluid in the reactor.
3. Determine the space time and space- velocity needed to effect 70 %

conversion in
a. Plug flow reactor

b. Mixed flow reactor

If 70 % conversion of a liquid reactant is converted in 13 mins in an isothermal batch

reactor.
Week 6 - 7 : Kinetics of reaction in gas and liquid phases (ideal reactors)
Objective: To establish and differentiate between kinetics of reactions in
homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions.
Description: there are three basic reactors; batch CSTR, and PFR. Mass
balances, design equation in constant and variable volume systems, recycle
reactors. Homogeneous reactions occur in a single phase. Catalytic or
otherwise. For heterogeneous reactions, more than one phase is involved in
the reaction. Thus for a component A, the rate of reaction is defined as,
moles of A which appear
. r A =f ( state of the system )
= f ( temp , pressure , concen ) .
( unit volume ) ( unit t ime )
The rate equation for a reacting component I, is an intensive measure which
tells how rapidly the component I forms or disappears in a given environment
as a function of the condition there.
Study Questions
1. 100 l/hr of radioactive fluid having a half life of 20 hr is to be treated by
passing it through two ideal stirred tanks in series, V = 40,000 l each. In
passing through this system, by how much has the activity decayed?
2. A first order reaction is to be treated in a series of two mixed reactors. Show
that the total volume of the two reactors is minimum when the reactions are
equal in size

Reading list
1. 1Carberry, J.J., 2001, Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering,
Dover Publications Inc.
ISBN 0 486 -41737-0
2. 1Fogler, H.S,
2005, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering,
Prentice Hall of India, 3rd edition.
ISBN 81-317-1430-6
3. 1Octave, L., 2007, Chemical Reaction Engineering, WILEY INDIA 3 rd
ed.
ISBN 9971-51-241-6
Week 8: First continuous assessment test

Objective: To test the understanding of students so far and prepare the

students for challenges ahead.
Description: The student will write a test which is supposed to test work
done from week one to seven.
Week 9 - 11: Design equations for single reaction ( reactor selection) reactor
in series, complex reactant, series parallel and mixed reactions. Reactor
selection for different reaction type.
Objective: to determine the size, type of reactor and the method of
operation.
Description: The temperature and composition of the reactants may vary
from point to point within the reactor, depending on the nature of the
reaction, the rate of heat addition or removal from the system and the flow
pattern of the fluid through the vessel. Homogeneous reactions are carried
out in either, the batch, the steady state flow and the unsteady state flow
or semi batch reactor. Here we are concerned with conversion level and,
reactor stability.
Study Question
1. Give a characteristic of each of the following reactions
a. Single
b. Multiple
c. Elementary
d. Non elementary

Reading list
1. 1Carberry, J.J., 2001, Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering,
Dover Publications Inc. ISBN 0 486 -41737-0
2. 1Fogler, H.S,
2005, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering,
Prentice Hall of India, 3rd edition.
ISBN 81-317-1430-6
3. 1Octave, L., 2007, Chemical Reaction Engineering, WILEY INDIA 3 rd
ed.
ISBN 9971-51-241-6

Week 12- 13: Design of multiple reactions

Objective: to determine the size, type of reactor and the method of
operation.
Description: Many multiple reactions are so varied in type and seem to
have so little in common however, many of them can be considered to be

combinations of two primary types;

reactions.

either parallel reactions or series

Study Questions
1. A substance A in the liquid phase produces R and S. The production of R is
second order while the production of S is first order. The feed
(
C A 0=1.0, C R 0=0, C S 0=0 )enters two mixed reactors in series (1 = 2.5 min,
2
= 10 min). Given that the composition in the first reactor is (
C A 1=0.4 ; C R 1 =0.4,C S 1=0.2 ) find, the composition leaving the second
reactor.

Reading list
1. 1Carberry, J.J., 2001, Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering,
Dover Publications Inc. ISBN 0 486 -41737-0
2. 1Fogler, H.S,
2005, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering,
Prentice Hall of India, 3rd edition.
ISBN 81-317-1430-6
1
3. Octave, L., 2007, Chemical Reaction Engineering, WILEY INDIA 3 rd
ed.
ISBN 9971-51-241-6
Week 14:

Overview of course and tutorials

Objective: To ascertain level of understanding of the course by the students

and their preparedness for the examination.
Description: A revision of the course from week 1 of 13
Reading list
1. 1Carberry, J.J., 2001, Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering,
Dover Publications Inc. ISBN 0 486 -41737-0
2. 1Fogler, H.S,
2005, Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering,
Prentice Hall of India, 3rd edition.
ISBN 81-317-1430-6
3. 1Octave, L., 2007, Chemical Reaction Engineering,
WILEY INDIA
rd
3 ed.
ISBN 9971-51-241-6
Week 15:

Examination