Chemical reactors sequencing

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe procedure introduced, based on a mathematical approach, provides a systematic way of finding the sequencing of reactors in series providing the minimum total reactor volume. Using the proposed procedure along with Levenspiel graphical method provides both a systematic way of solving the sequencing problem and a visual interpretation of the results. Trial and error calculations are needed with standard methods to obtain conversions in cases reactor volumes are given. A method is available in the literature to determine the conversions in continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) in series, given the CSTRs volumes. The direct method proposed eliminates the need for initial guesses and trial and error calculations for both PFRs and CSTRs, using newly defined plots. Detailed spreadsheet calculations are provided to illustrate the direct procedure for calculating conversions, given the reactors volumes in a sequence, whether the sequencing is optimum or not. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:195–199, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.20545