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WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Conversion versus Reactor Volume for CSTR and PFTR

​
reactor type
CSTR
PFTR
n
B
1
The Demonstration plots the conversion versus reactor volume for either a CSTR (continuous stirred-tank reactor) or a PFTR (plug flow tubular reactor). The volume (in liters) required to obtain 90% conversion in the reaction
A→
n
B
B
is indicated by the green dot in the figure. The reaction takes place in the gas phase with a rate constant
k=0.5
-1
min
. The feed flow rate is
v
0
=4liters/min
and corresponds to a composition such that
C
A0
=2moles/liter.
This is a high-pressure gas-phase reaction since
P
A
=
C
A
RT=49atm
. You can set the value of
n
B
. Based on the present calculation, you can draw the following conclusions: (1) to achieve the desired conversion, the required reactor volume is larger for the CSTR than the PFTR; and (2) if the reaction reduces the number of moles (e.g.,
n
b
=0.5)
, the required reactor volume is smaller. For example, if
n
b
=2
, the reaction produces more moles, thus diluting the reactant
A
and causing the volume to be larger.
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