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CONTINUOUS
STIRRED TANK
REACTOR (CSTR)
DYNAMIC
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the majority of industrial chemical processes, a reactor is the key item of equipment in
which raw materials undergo a chemical change to form desired products. The design and
operation of chemical reactors is thus crucial to the whole success of the industrial
operation. Reactors can take a widely varying form, depending on the nature of the feed
materials and the products. Understanding non-steady behaviour of process equipment is
necessary for the design and operation of automatic control systems. One particular type of
process equipment is the continuous stirred tank reactor. In this reactor, it is important to
determine the system response to a change in concentration. This response of
concentration versus time is an indication of the ideality of the system.
The SOLTLEQ CSTR Dynamics (Model BP 107) has been designed to follow the
dynamics of the simplest classic case of a well-mixed, multi-staged process operation. The
unit comes with three stirred tank reactors connected in series complete with sump tanks
and circulation pumps. Instruments are provided for the measurement of conductivity in
each reactor. Students may select either step change input or impulse input to the reactor
and will continuously monitor the responses in each reactor at a suitable interval.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
Before operating the unit, students must familiarize themselves with the unit. Please refer
to Figure 1 to understand the process. The unit consists of the followings:
a) Reactors
Three reactors made of borosilicate glass, each having approximately 2 liters
capacity. Each reactor is fitted with variable speed stirrer mounted on the top plate.
Temperature and conductivity sensors are provided for each reactor. Flows
between vessels are by gravity. Overflow tubes are provided for the 2 nd and 3rd
reactor.
b) Stirrer System
Variable speed stirrer system with digital display consisting of a motor and a shaft
with impellers made of stainless steel. Speed adjustments by means of a speed
controller knob on each stirrer.
c) Feed Tanks
Two 15-L cylindrical tanks made of stainless steels are provided with the unit. Each
tank has a feed pump to transfer the liquid from feed tank to the reactors. Each
tank is fitted with a level switch to protect the pumps from dry run.
d) Waste Tank
A rectangular 50-L waste tank made of stainless steel is provided at the bottom of
the equipment.
f) Instrumentations
Flowmeter:
Range : 0 to 500 ml/min
Output : 0 to 5 VDC
Display : LCD digital display
Conductivity Meter:
Sensor Range : 0 to 200 mS/cm
No. of Sensors : 4 (CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4)
Output : 4 to 20 mA
Display : conductivity controller with digital display for each sensor
mounted on the control panel
Temperature Sensor:
No. of Sensors : 3 (TT1, TT2, TT3)
Sensor type : RTD
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
Consider a stirred tank as of Figure 1. The fundamental quantities whose values provide
the information about the dynamics of the system are:
Continuously Stirred Tank Run at steady state with continuous flow of reactants and products;
Reactor (CSTR) the feed assumes a uniform composition throughout the reactor, exit
stream has the same composition as in the tank
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
V
dN A
FA0 FA rAdV
0
dt
Figure 3.
Assumptions:
V V
rAdV
0
rA dV
0
rAV
FA0 FA
V
rA
In terms of conversion,
FA 0 FA
X
FA 0
FA 0 X
V
rA
Reactors in Series
Given –rA as a function of conversion, –rA = f(X), one can also design any sequence of
reactors in series provided there are no side streams by defining the overall conversion at
any point.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
In Out Generation 0
FA0 FA1 rA1V1 0
FA 0 FA1
X1
FA 0
FA1 FA 0 FA 0 X 1
FA 0 X 1
V1
r A1
In Out Generation 0
FA1 FA2 rA2V2 0
FA 0 FA 2
X2
FA 0
FA 2 FA 0 FA 0 X 2
FA 0 ( X 2 X 1 )
V2
rA2
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
Given –rA = f(X), the Levenspiel Plot can be used to find the reactor volume.
Acetic acid is hydrolysed in three stirred tank reactors operated in series. The feed
flows to the first reactor (V = 1 lit) at a rate of 400 cm3/min. The second and third
reactors have volumes of 2 and 1.5 litres respectively. The first order irreversible
rate constant is 0.158 min-1. Calculate the fraction hydrolysed in the effluent from the
third reactor.
Calculations:
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
Therefore,
(-rA)2 = k CAo ( 1- XA,2)
XA,1 = 0.283
FAo = v CAo
Vi =FAo (XA,i - XA,i-1) / (-rA)i
2 = 0.4 (XA,2 - 0.283) / ( k ( 1- XA,2) )
5 k = (XA,2 - 0.283) / ( 1- XA,2)
0.79 - 0.79 XA,2 = XA,2 - 0.283
1.073 = 1.79 XA,2
XA,2 = 0.60
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
Unlike the above, the tracer analysis will help us understand the transient behaviour of the
continuous stirred tank reactor in series by having a step input or pulse of tracer
component such as salts. The conductivity measurement will indicate the progression of
the tracer throughout the stirred tank in series.
Figure 6.
A real reactor will be modeled as a number of equally sized tanks-in-series. Each tank
behaves as an ideal CSTR. The number of tanks necessary, n (our one parameter), is
determined from the E(t) curve.
Figure 7.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
t n 1e t i
E (t )
(n 1) / in
where, i n
tm n i
In dimensionless form
t t n i
n t i
n(n ) n 1 e n
E ( ) E (t )
(n 1)
2 0 (t ) E (t )d
2
2
2
2
2
2 2 ( 1) 2 E ( )d
0
2 1
2
2 n
2
n
2
1
X 1 , i
(1 i k ) n
n
For reactions other than first order and for multiple reactions, the sequential
equations must be solved.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
Vi V
n
(C C A1 )
Vi v 0 A0
r A1
(C A1 C A 2 )
Vi v0
rA2
(C A( n 1) C An )
Vi v0
r An
Example:
(V1 = V2 = V3 = V/3)
(C A0 C A )
V3 v0
kC A2
( 1 2 3 )
3 kC A2 C A C A 0
1 1 4 3 kC A 0
C A1
2 3 k
Similarly,
1 1 4 3 kC A1
C A2
2 3 k
1 1 4 3 kC A 2
C A3
2 3 k
C A3
X 1 , 3
C A0 3
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
When a step change of solute concentration is introduced at the feed of tank 1, the tank in
series will experience a transient behaviour as of Figure 8 below. The response will be
dependent on the residence time of each reactor in series.
Figure 8a. Step change input. Figure 8b. Transient response of tank in series
to the step input.
When a pulse input of solute concentration is introduced at the feed of tank 1, the transient
behaviour will be different than the step change input due to the diminishing concentration
from the input after pulsing as described in Figure 9.
Figure 9a. Pulse input. Figure 9b. Transient response of tank in series
to the pulse input.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
References
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
4. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Note:
For operations with SOLDAS Data Acquisition System, refer to the DAS operating
procedure. In step 9, click the START button. Conductivity values will be recorded
automatically and a table will be generated.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
In this experiment a pulse input would be introduced and the progression of the
tracer will be monitored via the conductivity measurements in all the three reactors
and after the dead time coil.
Note:
For operations with SOLDAS Data Acquisition System, refer to the DAS operating
procedure. In step 9, click the START button. Conductivity values will be recorded
automatically and a table will be generated.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
Note:
For operations with SOLDAS Data Acquisition System, refer to the DAS operating
procedure. In step 10, click the START button. Conductivity values will be recorded
automatically and a table will be generated.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
5. MAINTENANCE
1. After each experiment, drain off any liquids from the reactor and make sure that
the reactor and tubings are cleaned properly. Flush the system with de-ionized
water until no traces of salt are detected.
2. Dispose all liquids immediately after each experiment. Do not leave any solution or
waste in the tanks over a long period of time.
6. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
2. Always wear protective clothing, shoes, helmet and goggles throughout the
laboratory session.
3. Always run the experiment after fully understand the equipment and procedures.
4. Always plug in all cables into appropriate sockets before switching on the main
power on the control panel. Inspect all cables for any damage to avoid electrical
shock. Replace if necessary.
5. Make sure that the stirrer assembly is secured properly. Avoid excessive load to
the electrical motor to prevent damage.
6. Inspect the unit, including tubings and fittings, periodically for leakage and worn
out. Leakage might cause damage to equipments by corrosive chemical in the long
run.
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SOLTEQ CSTR DYNAMICS (Model: BP 107)
APPENDIX
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