8/1/19

REACTION ENGINEERING
CKB 20104
Chapter 2
Conversion & Reactor Sizing
Dr. Kelly Yong Tau Len
Section of Chemical Engineering Technology UniKL MICET
Tel: 06-5512051
Email: kytlen@unikl.edu.my,
VLE: CKB20104 - kytlen_MICET

2.1 Definition of conversion

2.2 Design equation for batch and flow systems
2.3 Reactor in series
2.4 Space velocity and space time

Objectives
Upon the completion of this chapter, students are able
Chapter 2 to:
Define conversion.
Evaluate the design equations to size batch and flow
reactors.
Size the reactors given the rate of reaction as
function of conversion.
Calculate the overall conversion and reactor volumes
for reactors arranged in series.
Define and determine space velocity and space time.

1
 8/1/19

Important Formulae For Gas

Phase
A→ B
To obtain INITIAL concentration of reactant A in GAS PHASE
when given partial pressure of the reactant A or total initial
pressure of the system
CA0 = Inlet concentration of A
yA0 = Inlet mole fraction of A
PAO y AO PO Po = Inlet total pressure of system
C AO = = To = System temperature
RTO RTO PA0 = Inlet partial pressure of A
R = Ideal gas constant

Definition of Conversion
A→ B
The conversion, XA or X is the number of moles/molar flow rate of reactant
A that have reacted per mole/molar flow rate of A fed to the system
Moles of A reacted Moles of A fed − Moles of A unreacted(outlet)
XA = =
Moles of A fed Moles of A fed
FA0 − FA
For molar flow rate, X A = ⇒ FA = FA0 (1− X )
FA0
N A0 − N A
For no. of moles, X A = ⇒ N A = N A0 (1− X )
N A0
• For irreversible reactions, maximum conversion is complete conversion,
X = 1.0 (100%)
• For reversible reactions, maximum conversion is equilibrium conversion,
i.e. X = Xe

2
 8/1/19

A gas mixture consists of 40 mol% A

and the remainder inert enters the
3
reactor with a feed rate of 10 dm /s at
Test Your 450 K and total pressure of 10 atm.
Understanding Given value of R is 0.082
3
dm .atm/mol.K.
Determine the initial concentration
and initial molar flow rate of A.
Subsequently determine the final
molar flow rate of A with 40%
conversion.

If 100 moles of reactant A

are fed to the reactor and 70
moles of A reacted, calculate
conversion of the reactant
Test Your A.
Understanding If 20 mol/min of reactant A
are fed and the conversion
is 60%, determine amount of
reactant A in the outlet after
the reaction.

3
 8/1/19

Design Equations:
Batch, CSTR And
PFR Reactor

A
Identify B
which
reactor is
Test Your CSTR, PFR,
Understanding and Batch

4
 8/1/19

Design Equations: Batch System

A→ B
In batch system, the conversion of reactant A, X is a
function of number of moles of A, NA.

NAo N A0 − N A
NA XA =
N A0
or N A = N A0 − N A0 X

Design Equations: Batch System

V
General Mole Balance dN A
FA0 − F A + ∫ rA . dV = 1
dt
No spatial variations in reaction rate (Reaction rate V

constant throughout the whole reactor volume) ∫r A dV = rAV 2

No variation in the rate of reaction

throughout the reactor volume

There is no inflow nor outflow during the reaction;

dN A
(FA0 = FA = 0).Therefore the mole balance (Eq. 1) rAV = 3

becomes (Eq. 3): dt

For batch reactors, we are interested in determining the time, t to leave
the reactants in the reactor to achieve a certain conversion, X

5
 8/1/19

Test Your Understanding

No spatial variations in reaction rate V

(Reaction rate constant throughout ∫r A dV = rAV 2

the whole reactor volume)

Deduce the reason for the above equation

*Tips: Spatial can be defined as Space and Variation means Changes
*Tips: Reaction rate is affected by concentration, temperature, pressure and types of catalyst (if any)

Design Equations: Batch System

We use the conversion equation to find the relation
From the conversion equation with conversion, X

N A = N A0 − N A0 X 4

Differentiate Eq. 4 with respect to reaction time, t to obtain

dN A dX dN A dX
= 0 − N A0 = −N A0 5
dt dt dt dt

Substitute Eq.5 into Eq.3 to obtain

5
3
dN A dN A dX dX
rAV = AND = −N A0 −N A0 = rAV 6
dt dt dt dt

6
 8/1/19

Design Equations: Batch System

Rearrange back Eq.6 to obtain the design equation in DIFFERENTIAL

FORM Since reactant A is disappearing, therefore the rate of reaction must be evaluated as rate of
disappearance, –rA

6 dX dX
−N A0 = rAV N A0 = −rAV 7

dt dt

From equation 7 and integrate with the limits (reaction time, t with
conversion, X) to obtain the design equation in INTEGRAL FORM

dX X
dX
N A0 = dt tbatch = N A0 ∫ 8
−rAV 0 −rAV

Design Equations: Batch System

• We obtain the reaction time, t necessary to achieve

a conversion X in a batch reactor.
• The longer the reactants are left in the reactor, the
greater the conversion.

X
dX
tbatch = N A0 ∫
0 −rAV

7
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow

Reactors (PFR & CSTR)

FAo A→ B
In flow system, the conversion of
FA reactant A, X is a function of molar flow
rate (moles/time) of A.
FA0 − FA
FAo FA
XA =
FA0
or FA = FA0 − FA0 X

Design Equation For Flow

Reactors (CSTR)
V
General Mole Balance dN A
FA0 − F A + ∫ rA . dV = 1
dt
Operated at steady state (conditions do not change dN A
=0 2
with time) No accumulation of A within system dt

V
No spatial variations in the rate of reaction
∫r A dV = rAV 3

Constant rate of generation of A by chemical reaction within system

Substitute Eq. 2 and Eq. 3 in Eq.1 to obtain FA0 − F A +rAV = 0 4

FA0 − FA
Rearrange equation 4 to obtain DESIGN EQUATION VCSTR = 5
for CSTR −rA

8
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow

Reactors (CSTR)
• We obtain the reactor volume, V necessary to achieve a conversion
X in a CSTR.
• For continuous system, time usually increases with increasing
reactor volume.
• The bigger the reactor, the more time it will take the reactants to
flow completely through the reactor and thus, more time to react
Only Valid for Single CSTR

FA0 − FA FA = FA0 − FA0 X FA0 X

VCSTR = VCSTR =
−rA We use the conversion
equation to relate with −rA
conversion, X

Design Equation For Flow

Reactors (PFR)
V
dN A
General Mole Balance FA0 − F A + ∫ rA . dV = 1
dt

dN A
Operated at steady state (conditions do not change =0 2
with time) dt
No accumulation of A within system

V
FA0 − F A + ∫ rA .dV = 0 3
Substitute Eq. 2 into Eq. 1

9
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow

Reactors (PFR)
Differentiate Eq. 3 with respect to V
3 V dF A
dF A
FA0 − F A + ∫ rA .dV = 0 0− + rA = 0 = rA 4
dV dV

We use the conversion equation to find the relation

From the conversion equation with conversion, X

FA = FA0 − FA0 X 5

Differentiate Eq. 5 with respect to V, to obtain

dFA dX dFA dX
= 0 − FA0 = −FA0 6
dV dV dV dV

Design Equation For Flow

Reactors (PFR)
• Substitute Eq. 6 into Eq. 4 to obtain the design equation in
DIFFERENTIAL FORM
Since reactant A is disappearing, therefore the rate of reaction must be
evaluated as rate of disappearance, -rA

4 6
dF A dFA dX dX
= rA AND = −FA0 FA0 = −rA 7
dV dV dV dV
• From Eq.7 and integrated with the limits V = 0 when X = 0 to obtain the
design equation in INTEGRAL FORM
X
FA0 dX dX
= dV VPFR = FA0 ∫ 8
−rA 0 −rA

10
 8/1/19

• We obtain the reactor volume, V

necessary to achieve a conversion X in a
PFR.
Design • For continuous system, time usually
Equation For increases with increasing reactor
Flow volume.
Reactors
(PFR) • The longer the reactor, the more time it
will take the reactants to flow completely
through the reactor and thus, more time
to react X
dX
VPFR = FA0 ∫
0 −rA

Design Equation For Flow Systems

(Applications For CSTR And PFR)
The rate of reaction, –rA is always a function of the reactant concentration and
hence its conversion, X.
Therefore, we can obtain –rA from the conversion, X. This is shown below in a
table for example.
Conversion, X 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
–rA
0.45 0.44 0.42 0.37 0.32 0.25 0.17 0.12 0.10
(mol/ dm3.s)
Using this information, (–rA and X) we can determine the size (reactor volume,
V) of both CSTR and PFR.
X
F X dX
VCSTR = A0 VPFR = FA0 ∫
−rA 0 −rA

11
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow Systems

(Applications For CSTR And PFR)

We can use the table to plot a graph called Levenspiel Plot.

The plot is either 1/–rA vs. X OR FA0/–rA vs. X
X
F X dX
VCSTR = A0 VPFR = FA0 ∫
−rA 0 −rA

FA0 1
(- rA ) −rA

X X

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A CSTR Using
Levenspiel Plot)
For CSTR sizing, its volume, VCSTR is equal to the area of a
rectangle on the Levenspiel plot (above and below the curve)
multiplied with FA0
1
𝑉"#$% = 𝐹() × 𝑋 ×
1
−𝑟(
𝐹() 𝑋 Only valid
−rA = for Single
−𝑟( CSTR
X
0 X
Final conversion

12
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A CSTR Using
Levenspiel Plot)
Example
The reaction A à B is to be carried
out in a CSTR. Species A enters the 833.33

reactor at a molar flow rate of 0.4 1

mol/s. Using the Levenspiel Plot, −rA

calculate the volume necessary to X

achieve 70% conversion in a CSTR. 0.7

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A CSTR Using
Solution
Levenspiel Plot)
Given FA0 = 0.4 mol/s and X = 0.7

833.33

1
−rA

X
0.7

FA0 X mol dm3 .s

VCSTR = = (0.4 )(0.7)(833.33 )
−rA s mol
= 233.33dm3

13
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow

Systems
(Sizing A CSTR Using Table)
Conversion, X –rA (mol/dm3.s)
0.0 0.0045
We can also use the Table 0.1 0.0044
directly to determine the
0.2 0.0042
reactor sizing.
0.3 0.0037
Example: The reaction A à B is3
0.4 0.0032
to be carried out in a 100 dm
0.5 0.0025
CSTR. Using the data in table,
calculate the initial molar flow 0.6 0.0017
rate necessary to achieve 65% 0.7 0.0012
conversion of A. 0.8 0.0010

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A CSTR Using
Solution
Table)
3
Given VCSTR = 100dm , X = 0.65 Conversion, –rA
X (mol/dm3.s)
0.0 0.0045
𝐹()𝑋 𝐹()(0.65) 0.1 0.0044
𝑉"#$% = = 100𝑑𝑚2 =
−𝑟( 𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.2 0.0042
0.00145
𝑑𝑚2. 𝑠 0.3 0.0037
𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐹() = 0.223 0.4 0.0032
𝑠
0.5 0.0025
0.6 0.0017
0.7 0.0012
0.8 0.0010

14
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow Systems

(Sizing A PFR Using Levenspiel Plot)
For PFR sizing, its volume, VPFR is equal to the area under the curve of
the Levenspiel plot.

X
1 dX
−rA VPFR = FA0 ∫
0 −rA
X

As we can see, it is not easy to determine the area under the curve of
the Levenspiel Plot.
We need to use Simpson's Rule

Design Equation For Flow Systems

(Sizing A PFR Using Levenspiel Plot)

There is various Simpsons' Rule that we can use to evaluate

the area under the curve. However, we usually use Simpson’s
one-third rule (3 points). Final
conversion
1
X dX
−rA( X
2)
VPFR = FAO ∫
0
−rA
$ '
ΔX & 1 4 1 )
1 = FA0 + +
−rA( X ) 3 &% −rA( X ) −rA( X )
−rA( X ) )(
1 0 mid

1 X Initial
−rA( X Point Middle Final
0)
X0 X1 X2 Point Point
ΔX ΔX Final
conversion

15
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A PFR Using
Levenspiel Plot)

Example 1/ −rA
833.33
The reaction A à B is to be carried
out in a PFR. Species A enters the
reactor at a molar flow rate of 0.4
mol/s. Using the Levenspiel Plot, 291.39
calculate the volume necessary to 222.22
achieve 70% conversion in a PFR.
0.00 0.35 0.7

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A CSTR Using
Solution Levenspiel Plot)
Given FA0 = 0.4 mol/s and X = 0.7 1/ −rA
833.33
).A BC ∆C H K H
𝑉>?% =∫) =𝐹() + +
DEF 2 DEF(I) DEF(I.LM) DEF(I.N)
0.4𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.35 𝑑𝑚2 . 𝑠
= 222.22 + 4(291.39) + 833.33
𝑠 3 𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 103.65𝑑𝑚2
291.39
222.22

0.00 0.35 0.7

16
 8/1/19

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A PFR Using
Table)
We can also use the Table Conversion, –rA
X (mol/dm3.s)
directly to determine the reactor 0.0 0.0045
sizing. 0.1 0.0044
0.2 0.0042
Example: The reaction A à B is to 0.3 0.0037
3
be carried out in a 100 dm PFR. 0.4 0.0032
Using the data in table, calculate 0.5 0.0025
0.6 0.0017
the initial molar flow rate necessary 0.7 0.0012
to achieve 50% conversion of A. 0.8 0.0010

Design Equation For Flow

Systems (Sizing A CSTR Using
Table)
Solution
3
Given VPFR = 100dm , X = 0.50 Conversion, –rA
X (mol/dm3.s)
).Q BC ∆C H K H
𝑉>?% =∫) = 𝐹() + + 0.0 0.0045
DEF 2 DEF(I) DEF(I.SM) DEF(I.M)
0.25 1 4 1 𝑑𝑚2 . 𝑠 0.1 0.0044
100𝑑𝑚2 = 𝐹() + +
3 0.0045 0.00395 0.0025 𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.2 0.0042
𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.73 0.3 0.0037
𝑠
0.4 0.0032
0.5 0.0025
0.6 0.0017
0.7 0.0012
0.8 0.0010

17
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series

Reactors are connected in series so that the exit

stream of one reactor is the feed stream for another
reactor.
Moles of A reacted up to point i
Xi =
Moles of A feed to first reactor
When this arrangement is used, the conversion, X is
the total number of moles of A that have reacted up to
that point per mole of A fed to the first reactor.

Reactor In Series

FAO
1 X1 and FA1 X2 and FA2
2
CSTR
i=1 PFR i=2 CSTR
3
X3 and FA3
FA0 − FA1 F − FA2 F − FA3 i=3
X1 = , X 2 = A0 , X 3 = A0
FA0 FA0 FA0
Therefore;
FA1 = FA0 (1− X 1 ), FA2 = FA0 (1− X 2 ), FA3 = FA0 (1− X 3 )

18
 8/1/19

Test Your Understanding

FAO
1 X1 and FA1 X2 and FA2
2
CSTR
i=1 PFR i=2 CSTR
F − FA1 F − FA2 F − FA3 3
X 1 = A0 , X 2 = A0 , X 3 = A0 X3 and FA3
FA0 FA0 FA0
Therefore; i=3
FA1 = FA0 (1− X 1 ), FA2 = FA0 (1− X 2 ), FA3 = FA0 (1− X 3 )

Choose the right answer and state the reason

X1 > X2 > X3
OR
X1 < X2 < X3

Reactor In Series (CSTR in

Series)
FA1 − FA2
FAO F − FA1
X 1 = A0
VCSTR,2 =
FA0 −rA2
X1 and FA1 FA1 = FA0 (1− X 1 )
CSTR 1
–rA1 FA2 = FA0 (1− X 2 )
FA0 ( X 2 − X 1 )
2 VCSTR,2 =
FA0 − FA1 −rA2
VCSTR,1 = –rA2
−rA1
CSTR X2 and FA2
FA1 = FA0 (1− X 1 )
FA0 − FA2
X2 =
FA0 X 1 FA0
VCSTR,1 =
−rA1

19
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series (CSTR in

Series)

Example Conversion, –rA

The reaction A à B is to be carried out in a X (mol/dm3.s)
single CSTR and 2 CSTRs in series. Species 0.0 0.0045
A enters the reactor at a molar flow rate of 0.1 0.0044
0.4 mol/s. For the 2 CSTRs in series, 40% 0.2 0.0042
conversion is achieved in the first reactor. 0.3 0.0037
What is the volume of the 2 reactors 0.4 0.0032
necessary to achieve 70% overall 0.5 0.0025
conversion. Subsequently calculate the 0.6 0.0017
single CSTR volume to achieve the same 0.7 0.0012
overall conversion (70%) 0.8 0.0010

Reactor In Series (CSTR in

Series)
0.4
mol/s Conversion, –rA
X (mol/dm3.s)
X1 = 0.4
CSTR 1 0.0 0.0045
0.1 0.0044
0.2 0.0042
2
F X 0.3 0.0037
VCSTR,1 = A0 1
−rA1 0.4 0.0032
CSTR X2 = 0.7 0.5 0.0025
mol
0.4 (0.4) 0.6 0.0017
= s = 50dm3 0.7 0.0012
mol 0.8 0.0010
0.0032 3
dm .s

20
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series
(CSTR in Series)
0.4
mol/s Conversion, –rA
X1 = 0.4 X (mol/dm3.s)
CSTR 1
0.0 0.0045
0.1 0.0044
0.2 0.0042
2
F ( X − X1) 0.3 0.0037
VCSTR,2 = A0 2
−rA2 0.4 0.0032
CSTR X2 = 0.7
mol 0.5 0.0025
0.4 (0.7 − 0.4) 0.6 0.0017
= s Total Volume, VCSTR,TOTAL
mol = VCSTR,1 + VCSTR,2 0.7 0.0012
0.0012 3 0.8 0.0010
dm .s = 50 + 100 dm3
= 100dm 3 = 150 dm3

Subsequently calculate the

single CSTR volume to
achieve the same overall
conversion (70%)
Calculate yourself

21
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series (CSTR in

Series)
1/ −rA CSTRs in Series

VCSTR,TOTAL = 150 dm3

1/ −rA
VCSTR,2 Single CSTR
VCSTR,1 X
0.0 0.4 0.7 VCSTR,TOTAL = 233.33 dm3

Comparison from this 2 Levenspiel plots tells

us why to achieve the same overall conversion,
VCSTR
the total volume for 2 CSTRs in series is less
X
than that required for 1 CSTR
0.0 0.7

Reactor In Series
(PFR in Series)

X1 and FA1 X = FA0 − FA1 FA0 − FA2

1
FAO 1 FA0 X2 =
–rA1 FA0
PFR X2 and FA2
2
PFR –rA2

X1
dX
VPFR,1 = FA0 ∫
0 −rA1
$ '
ΔX & 1 4 1
= FA0 + + )
3 &% −rA( X ) −rA( X −rA( X ) )(
0 middle ) 1

22
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series
(PFR in Series)

X1 and FA1 X = FA0 − FA1 FA0 − FA2

1
FAO 1 FA0 X2 =
–rA1 FA0
PFR X2 and FA2
2
PFR –rA2

X2
dX
VPFR,2 = FA0 ∫
X 1 −rA1

ΔX $ 1 4 1 '
= FA0 & + + )
3 &% −rA( X 1) −rA( Xmid ) −rA( X 2) )(

Reactor In Series
(PFR in Series)

Example Conversion, –rA

The reaction A à B is to be carried out in a X (mol/dm3.s)
single PFR and 2 PFRs in series. Species 0.0 0.0045
A enters the reactor at a molar flow rate of 0.1 0.0044
0.4 mol/s. For the 2 PFRs in series, 40% 0.2 0.0042
conversion is achieved in the first reactor. 0.3 0.0037
What is the volume of the 2 reactors 0.4 0.0032
necessary to achieve 70% overall 0.5 0.0025
conversion. Subsequently calculate the 0.6 0.0017
single PFR volume to achieve the same 0.7 0.0012
overall conversion (70%) 0.8 0.0010

23
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series
(PFR in Series)
X1 = 0.4
0.4
1 Conversion, –rA
mol/s X (mol/dm3.s)
–rA1
X2 = 0.7
PFR 0.0 0.0045
2 0.1 0.0044
PFR
ΔX
0.2 0.0042
ΔX
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.0037
0.4 0.0032
).K BC ∆C H K H
𝑉>?%,H =∫) = 𝐹() + + 0.5 0.0025
DEF 2 DEF(I) DEF(I.S) DEF(I.V)
0.4𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.2 1 4 1 𝑑𝑚2 . 𝑠 0.6 0.0017
𝑉>?%,H = + +
𝑠 3 0.0045 0.0042 0.0032 𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.7 0.0012
= 39.66𝑑𝑚2
0.8 0.0010

Reactor In Series
(PFR in Series)
X1 = 0.4
0.4
1 Conversion, –rA
mol/s
–rA1 X (mol/dm3.s)
X2 = 0.7
PFR 0.0 0.0045
2 0.1 0.0044
ΔX ΔX PFR
0.4 0.55 0.7 0.2 0.0042
0.3 0.0037
).A BC ∆C H K H
𝑉>?%,W =∫).K = 𝐹() + + 0.4 0.0032
DEF 2 DEF(I.V) DEF(I.MM) DEF(I.N)
0.4𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.15 1 4 1 𝑑𝑚2 . 𝑠 0.5 0.0025
𝑉>?%,W = + +
𝑠 3 0.0032 0.0021 0.0012 𝑚𝑜𝑙 0.6 0.0017
= 61.01𝑑𝑚2
0.7 0.0012
Total Volume, VPFR,TOTAL = VPFR,1 + VPFR,2 0.8 0.0010
= 39.66 + 61.01 dm3 = 100.67 dm3

24
 8/1/19

SUBSEQUENTLY
CALCULATE THE
SINGLE PFR VOLUME
TO ACHIEVE THE SAME
OVERALL CONVERSION
(70%)
CALCULATE YOURSELF

Reactor In Series
(PFR in Series)
1/ −rA Comparison from this 2 Levenspiel plots tells
us why to achieve the same overall
VPFR,TOTAL = 100.67 dm3
conversion, the total volume for 2 PFRs in
series is identical to that required for 1 PFR

1/ −rA
VPFR,TOTAL = 102.59 dm3
VPFR,2
VPFR,1
0.00 0.4 0.7
PFRs in Series
VPFR
0.00 0.7
Single PFR

25
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series
(Combination of CSTRS And PFRs In
Series)
Example
–rA
X
X1 and FA1 (mol/dm3.s)
FAO 1 0.0 0.0053
–rA1
0.1 0.0052
PFR
0.2 0.0050
CSTR 2
0.3 0.0045
X2 and FA2 0.4 0.0040
–rA2 0.5 0.0033
Calculate the individual reactor volumes as well as the total 0.6 0.0025
reactor volume for the PFR–CSTR in series based on the 0.7 0.0018
reaction data given in the table when the intermediate 0.8 0.00125
conversion of 50% and final conversion of 80% with FA0 0.85 0.001
= 0.867 mol/s

Reactor In Series
(Combination of CSTRS and PFRs
in Series)
X1 = 0.5 –rA
0.867 X
1 (mol/dm3.s)
mol/s
0.0 0.0053
PFR
0.1 0.0052
CSTR 2
X2 = 0.8 0.2 0.0050
0.3 0.0045
0.5 dX ΔX ΔX
VPFR,1 = FAO ∫ 0.4 0.0040
0 0.25 0.5
−rA 0.0
0.5 0.0033
mol # 0.25 &# 1 4 1 & 0.6 0.0025
= 0.867 % (% + + (
s $ 3 '%$ −rA( X =0) −rA( X =0.25) −rA( X =0.5) (' 0.7 0.0018
mol # 0.25 &# 1 4 1 & 1 0.8 0.00125
= 0.867 % (% + + (
s $ 3 '$ 0.0053 0.00475 0.0033' mol / dm3 .s 0.85 0.001
= 96.37 dm3

26
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series
(Combination Of CSTRS And PFRs In
Series)

X1 = 0.5 –rA
0.867 X
1 (mol/dm3.s)
mol/s
0.0 0.0053
PFR
0.1 0.0052
CSTR 2
X2 = 0.8 0.2 0.0050
FA0 ( X 2 − X 1 ) 0.3 0.0045
VCSTR,2 = 0.4 0.0040
−rA2
0.5 0.0033
mol
0.867 (0.8 − 0.5) Total Volume, VTOTAL 0.6 0.0025
= s 0.7 0.0018
mol = VPFR,1 + VCSTR,2
0.00125 3 0.8 0.00125
= 96.37 + 208.08 dm3
dm .s 0.85 0.001
= 208.08dm 3 = 304.45 dm3

Reactor In Series
(Combination Of CSTRS And PFRs
In Series)

0.867 –rA
X
mol/s (mol/dm3.s)
0.0 0.0053

1 0.1 0.0052
CSTR
X1 = 0.5 X2 = 0.8 0.2 0.0050
2 0.3 0.0045
PFR 0.4 0.0040
F X
VCSTR,1 = A0 1 0.5 0.0033
−rA1 0.6 0.0025
mol 0.7 0.0018
0.867 (0.5)
= s = 131.36dm3 0.8 0.00125
mol 0.85 0.001
0.0033 3
dm .s

27
 8/1/19

Reactor In Series
(Combination Of CSTRS And PFRs
In Series)
0.867 –rA
mol/s X
(mol/dm3.s)
0.0 0.0053
1 PFR 0.1 0.0052
CSTR
X1 = 0.5 X2 = 0.8 0.2 0.0050
2
0.3 0.0045
0.8 dX ΔX ΔX 0.4 0.0040
VPFR,2 = FAO ∫
0.5
−rA 0.5 0.65 0.8
0.5 0.0033
mol # 0.15 &# 1 4 1 & Total Volume, VTOTAL 0.6 0.0025
= 0.867 % (% + + ( = VCSTR,1 + VPFR,2
s $ 3 '%$ −rA( X =0.5) −rA( X =0.65) −rA( X =0.8) (' 0.7 0.0018
= 131.36 + 128.47 dm3
mol # 0.15 &# 1 4 1 & 1 0.8 0.00125
= 0.867 % (% + + ( = 259.83 dm3
s $ 3 '$ 0.0033 0.00215 0.00125 ' mol / dm3 .s 0.85 0.001
= 128.47 dm3

Reactor In Series
(Combination Of CSTRS And PFRs In
Series)

VTOTAL = 304.45 dm3 VTOTAL = 259.83 dm3 Comparing the reactor

volume for both
configurations, we can
conclude that CSTR–
PFR is a better option
since smaller reactor
can be used to achieve
VCSTR,2 VPFR,1
VPFR,1 208.08 dm3
VCSTR,1
128.47dm3 the overall conversion
96.37dm3 131.36 dm3
of 80%

PFR–CSTR CSTR–PFR

28
 8/1/19

SUBSEQUENTLY
CALCULATE THE SINGLE
PFR AND CSTR VOLUME
TO ACHIEVE THE SAME
OVERALL CONVERSION
(80%)
CALCULATE YOURSELF

Space Time and Space

Velocity

• Space Time is time required to process 1 reactor

volume of fluid based on the reactor entrance
conditions.
• It is obtained by dividing reactor volume, V by the
volumetric flow rate entering the reactor, υo
• It is also called the holding time or mean residence time.
V
τ=
υo

29
 8/1/19

Space Time and Space

Velocity
A L = 20 m B

1 L/s V = 4L

• The time it takes for the fluid to enter the reactor completely is the
space time.
• Consider the PFR shown above with volume of 4L and the length of
20m.
• If the volumetric flow rate were 1 L/s, the space time is 4L/1Ls-1 = 4s.
• In other words, it would take 4s for the fluid at point A to move to point
B, which is going across the entire reactor length.

Difference between Reaction Time, Space

Time and Residence Time

Reaction Time:
SPACE Time required to hold up the particles in the
batch reactor for the required conversion to
TIME take place
AND
SPACE Space Time:
Time required to process 1 reactor volume of
VELOCITY fluid in a flow reactor

Residence Time:
Average amount of time that a particle
spends in a flow reactor

30
 8/1/19

Space Time and Space

Velocity
If the Volume does not change and the
volumetric flow rate remains constant then
Residence time = Space time
However, if there is a disturbance in the
reactor (i.e., change in pressure, temperature,
etc.), then
Residence time ≠ Space time

Space Time and Space

Velocity

• Space velocity (SV) is defined as

ZI H
SV= =
[ \
• Space time is measured at the conditions of the
reactor entrance while space velocity is measured at
a set of standard conditions.

31
 8/1/19

Space Time and Space

Velocity
LHSV (Liquid Hourly Space Velocity)
• It is a method to relate the reactant liquid volumetric flow rate to the reactor volume at a
standard temperature.
• Usually, this temperature ranges from 60 to 75 oF(15.6 to 23.9 oC).
• The volumetric flow rate, υo is treated as a liquid at these conditions, even though the
actual material may be a gas under normal operating conditions

GHSV (Gas Hourly Space Velocity)

• It is a similar method for relating the reactant gas volumetric flow rate to the reactor volume.
• GHSV is usually measured at standard temperature and pressure (STP).
• Different industries may have their own definitions for STP and these conditions may be
closer to ambient conditions than to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
values of 32 oF (0 oC) and 1 bar (100 kPa).

Space Time and Space

Velocity

• A space velocity of 5 / hr means that five reactor

volumes of feed at specified condition are being fed
into the reactor per hour.
• A space time of 5 min is that every 5 minutes, one
reactor volume of feed at specified conditions is
being treated by the reactor.

32