UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA

FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍA
DEPARTAMENTO DE INGENIERÍA QUÍMICA
INGENIERÍA DE LAS REACCIONES QUÍMICAS

HOMEWORK N°1
Alejandra Rendón Gutiérrez, David Esteban Cifuentes, Xilena Oviedo Bustamante
Chemical Engineering Students. Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Colombia, February 15th,
2018.

1. (30 %) A liquid phase stream from a manufacturing operation contains β –

nicotinomideadenine dinucleotide (NADH). Another stream contains methylene blue
(MB+), which can be used to catalyze the oxidation of NADH. Your co-worker has
suggested that these streams can be blended to produce a stream containing NADH at a
concentration of 1.96 x10-4 M and MB+ at a concentration of 3.6 x10-6 M. This blended
stream is available at a rate of 6 L/min. In the presence of sufficient dissolved oxygen, the
NADH will be oxidized and the reaction rate is given by Equation (1):

𝐾 [𝑁𝐴𝐷𝐻][𝑀𝐵+ ]
−𝑟𝑁𝐴𝐷𝐻 = (1)
1+𝐾𝐴 [𝑁𝐴𝐷𝐻]

P. Sevick and B. Dunford [Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 27. 925-928 (1995)] indicated that at
25°C, k= 4.21(L/mol.s) and KA = 3.53x102 (L/mol) at the pH of the buffered solution
(9.0) which will result from blending the two liquid streams. Furthermore, the level of
dissolved oxygen in the blended stream is sufficient to ensure rapid reoxidation of the
product leucomethylene blue (MBH) back to MB+ so that the concentration of MBT in
this stream will be essentially constant (i.e, the MB+ can be regarded as a catalyst for the
oxidation of NADH by dissolved oxygen).

a (15 %) Determine the sizes of single CSTRs that will achieve NADH conversions from
0 to 99%. Plot reactor volume of each single CSTR versus the fractional conversion that
is achieved in the reactors.

b (15 %) Determine the size of a CSTR connected in series with a PFR reactor that will
achieve NADH conversions of 93% (at outlet of PFR reactor). Consider that the reactors
have the same volume.

Solution

a)
Considerations
 The reaction is irreversible and homogeneous
 Reaction is in liquid phase
 Isothermal process (constant temperature 25°C)
 The density of the mixture does not vary so the volume of the mixture remains
constant (constant volumetric flow v=v0)
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 CSRT operates in steady state

 Identical temperature and concentration throughout the interior of the reaction
vessel

FAO

F
A
Figure 1. Continuous-Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)

The design ecuation for the CSTR is

𝐹𝐴0 𝑋
𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = (2)
−𝑟𝐴𝑗

The molar flow rate for NADH (A) is given by the following ecuation:

𝐹𝐴0 = 𝐶𝐴0 ∗ 𝜈0 (3)

Where,

𝐹𝐴0 :NADH’s entering molar flow rate (mol/s)

𝜈0 : Volumetric flow rate (L/s)
𝐶𝐴0 : NADH’s entering concentration (M)

𝐶𝐴 = 𝐶𝐴0 ∗ (1 − 𝑋) (4)
Replacing (4) in (1)

𝐾∗ 𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋) [𝑀𝐵+ ]

−𝑟𝑁𝐴𝐷𝐻 = 1+𝐾𝐴 ∗𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋)
(5)

Replacing (3) and (5) in (2)

𝐶𝐴0 ∗𝜈0 ∗𝑋
𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = 𝐾∗ 𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋) [𝑀𝐵+ ]
(6)
1+𝐾𝐴 ∗𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋)

The results are shown in table 1

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Table 1. Rate of reaction and volume to different conversions at 25°C for CSTR
X rA (mol/L.s) V (m3)
0 2,778E-09 0,000
0,03 2,700E-09 0,218
0,06 2,622E-09 0,449
0,09 2,543E-09 0,694
0,12 2,464E-09 0,955
0,15 2,385E-09 1,233
0,18 2,305E-09 1,531
0,21 2,225E-09 1,850
0,24 2,145E-09 2,193
0,27 2,064E-09 2,564
0,3 1,983E-09 2,965
0,33 1,902E-09 3,400
0,36 1,821E-09 3,876
0,39 1,739E-09 4,396
0,42 1,656E-09 4,970
0,45 1,574E-09 5,604
0,48 1,491E-09 6,310
0,51 1,408E-09 7,100
0,54 1,324E-09 7,992
0,57 1,240E-09 9,006
0,6 1,156E-09 10,171
0,63 1,072E-09 11,522
0,66 9,868E-10 13,109
0,69 9,015E-10 15,001
0,72 8,160E-10 17,295
0,75 7,300E-10 20,137
0,78 6,437E-10 23,749
0,81 5,571E-10 28,498
0,84 4,701E-10 35,023
0,87 3,827E-10 44,553
0,9 2,950E-10 59,793
0,93 2,069E-10 88,084
0,96 1,185E-10 158,791
0,99 2,969E-11 653,659
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FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍA
DEPARTAMENTO DE INGENIERÍA QUÍMICA
INGENIERÍA DE LAS REACCIONES QUÍMICAS

Reactor volume Vs Conversion

700
600
500
Volume (m3)

400
300
200
100
0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
Conversion X

Graph 1. Reactor volume versus fractional conversion for CSTR

b)

Figure 2. CSTR connected in series with a PFR reactor

𝑋2
𝑑𝑋
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = ∫ 𝐹𝐴0 (7)
𝑋1 −𝑟𝐴
Where,

𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 : PFR (tubular flow reactor) volume (L)

𝑋1 : PFR entering conversion
𝑋2 : PFR final conversión
𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = 𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 (8)

Replacing (2), (5) and (7) in (8)

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𝐹𝐴0 𝑋1 𝑋2 𝑑𝑋
𝐾∗ 𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋1 ) [𝑀𝐵+ ]
= 𝐹𝐴0 ∫𝑋1 𝐾∗ 𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋) [𝑀𝐵+ ]
(9)
1+𝐾𝐴 ∗𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋1 ) 1+𝐾𝐴 ∗𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋)

Solving the integral in Wolfram Alpha throws the following polynomial, which later is evaluated
in the limits X1 to X2= 0,93

[2,32911 ∗ 107 𝑥 − 3,36635 ∗ 108 log(1 − 𝑥)] from X1 to 0,93 (10)

Then, evaluating (10) and replacing in (9):

𝑋1
𝐾∗ 𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋1 ) [𝑀𝐵+]
= 410441144,3 - 2,32911 ∗ 107 𝑋1 + 3,36635 ∗ 108 log(1 − 𝑋1 ) (11)
1+𝐾𝐴 ∗𝐶𝐴0 ∗(1−𝑋1 )

Doing use of the solver tool of the calculator the value of X1 is:

X1 = 0,468 (12)

Replacing (12) in one side of (9), the size of the CSTR and PFR reactors is

𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = 𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = 6021,64 𝐿 (13)

2 (35 %) The stereoisomerization is a chemical process through which a molecule is transformed

into other molecule that has the same number of atoms. In a laboratory of Canberra, some
experiments were carried out (at isothermal conditions) for producing D-Xu-5-P, from an epimer
A (an important reaction in the Calvin cycle), according to the following reaction:

Laboratory data taken under the conditions of the liquid phase reaction are shown in Table 1.

Table 2. Laboratory data (27°C, atmospheric pressure, mo = 913.15 lb/h of reactant A)

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INGENIERÍA DE LAS REACCIONES QUÍMICAS

For a volumetric flow of 15 ft3/h:

a (15 %) Estimate the volume of a plug-flow reactor and the volume of a CSTR reactor required
to achieve 70% of conversion of the reactant of the reaction. What can be concluded?

b (20 %) You want to minimize the reactor volume needed to achieve 85% of conversion. What
reactor type or reactor combinations do you recommend and why?
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Solution

a)

i. CSTR reactor

Figure 3. Continuous-Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)

𝑑𝑁𝐴
𝐹𝐴0 − 𝐹𝐴 + 𝐺𝐴 = (14)
𝑑𝑡
Considerations

 The reaction is irreversible and homogeneous

 Reaction is in liquid phase
 Isothermal process (constant temperature 27°C)
 The density of the mixture does not vary so the volume of the mixture remains
constant (constant volumetric flow v=v0)
 Experimental tests carried out under a continuous perfect mix reactor (CSTR).
 CSRT operates in steady state
 Identical temperature and concentration throughout the interior of the reaction
vessel
 It is desired to achieve 70% conversion of A.
 The speed of disappearance depends only on concentration.

From the considerations, we have:

𝑉
𝐺𝐴 = ∫ 𝑟𝐴 𝑑𝑉 = 𝑟𝐴 𝑉 (15)
0
𝑑𝑁𝐴
= 0 (16)
𝑑𝑡
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With which the equation of the balance of moles is reduced to:

𝐹𝐴𝑜 − 𝐹𝐴 + 𝑟𝐴 𝑉 = 0
𝐹𝐴0 − 𝐹𝐴
𝑉= (17)
−𝑟𝐴
𝐹𝐴0 − 𝐹𝐴
𝑥= (18)
𝐹𝐴0
Replacing equation 18 in 17:
𝐹𝐴0 𝑋
𝑉= (19)
−𝑟𝐴

Through the given mass flow, mo, and with the molecular weight of compound A, it was possible
to obtain the FA0 flow:

𝑚0 115,054 𝑔/𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑙

𝐹𝐴0 = = = 0,499 (20)
𝑀𝑊 230,11 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑠

𝑚0 = Mass flow of reactant A

MW= Molecular weight of reactant A

Making use of table 2 and of equation (21) it was possible to determine the flow FA for the given
laboratory data:

𝐹𝐴 = 𝐶𝐴 ∗ 𝑣 (21)

With the above and Equation 20, it was possible to determine the conversion of laboratory data,
these are tabulated in table 3.

Table 3. Molar flow and conversion of laboratory data

FA (mol/s) X 1/-rA (ft3.s/mol)
0,5 0 16
0,475 0,05 23,9999808
0,45 0,1 59,99988
0,425 0,15 90,00009
0,4 0,2 100
0,375 0,25 80
0,35 0,3 64
0,325 0,35 57,9999304
0,3 0,4 80
0,275 0,45 120,00048
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0,25 0,5 100

0,225 0,55 90,00009
0,2 0,6 78,000078
0,175 0,65 82,0001476
0,15 0,7 86,0000516
0,125 0,75 91,9997056
0,1 0,8 97,9998236
0,075 0,85 110,00011
0,05 0,9 114,0003876
0,025 0,95 122,0003172
0,005 0,99 126,000126

As shown in graph 2, where the area underlined with purple lines represents the volume for a
CSTR. To determine the total value, equation 19 was used, and the volume for the CSTR reactor
was obtained by calculating the area formed by the rectangle shown.

Graph 2. Disappearing speed versus fractional conversion for CSTR

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From the above:

𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 (𝑋𝐽 − 𝑋𝐽−1 ) 𝑠
= = (0,7 − 0) ∗ (86,00 𝑓𝑡3. )
𝐹𝐴0 −𝑟𝐴 , 𝑥 = 𝑥𝐽 𝑚𝑜𝑙

(𝑋𝐽 − 𝑋𝐽−1 ) 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑠

𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = 𝐹𝐴0 ∗ = (0,499 ) ∗ 60,02 𝑓𝑡3. = 30,099 𝑓𝑡3
−𝑟𝐴 , 𝑥 = 𝑥𝐽 𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑙

ii. PFR reactor

• The irreversible and homogeneous reaction.

• The reaction is in the liquid phase
• Isothermal process (constant temperature = 27 ° C)
• The density of the mixture does not vary, so the volume of the mixture remains constant.
(flow
constant volumetric ν = ν0)
• Experimental tests performed under a plug flow reactor (PFR).
• The PFR reactor operates in a steady state.
• The speed of disappearance depends only on concentration.
• It is desired to achieve 70% conversion of A.

From the considerations, we have:

𝑉
𝐺𝐴 = ∫ 𝑟𝐴 𝑑𝑉 (22)
0
𝑑𝑁𝐽
= 0 (23)
𝑑𝑡
Whereby equation 22 is reduced to:
𝑉
𝐹𝐴𝑜 − 𝐹𝐴 + ∫ 𝑟𝐴 𝑑𝑉 = 0
0
𝑉
𝐹𝐴 /𝑉 − 𝐹𝐴 /𝑉+∆𝑉 + ∫ 𝑟𝐴 𝑑𝑉 = 0
0
𝐹𝐴 /𝑉 − 𝐹𝐴 + 𝑟𝐴 ∆𝑉 = 0

𝐹𝐴 /𝑉 − 𝐹𝐴 /𝑉+∆𝑉 𝑟𝐴 ∆𝑉
lim + =0
∆𝑣=0 ∆𝑉 ∆𝑉
𝑑𝐹𝐴
𝑟𝐴 = (24)
𝑑𝑉

For component A, the conversion based on the molar flow:

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𝐹𝐴0 − 𝐹𝐴
𝑥= (25)
𝐹𝐴0
𝐹𝐴 = 𝐹𝐴0 − 𝐹𝐴0 𝑥
𝐹𝐴 = 𝐹𝐴0 (1 − 𝑥)

Replacing in equation (26):

𝑑𝑋
−𝑟𝐴 = 𝐹𝐴0 (26)
𝑑𝑉

Clearing and integrating:

𝑉 𝑋
𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑉 = 𝐹𝐴0 ∫
0 0 −𝑟𝐴
𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹𝐴𝑜 ∫ (27)
−𝑟𝐴
0

Graph 3. Disappearing speed versus fractional conversion for PFR

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The molar flow FA and conversion values were obtained as in the numeral a.i. As shown in graph
3, where the area underlined under the curve represents the volume for a PFR reactor. To
determine this volume, the summation of the volumes was performed by means of the trapezium
method, in such a way that:
𝑏 𝑑𝑥 𝑓(𝑎)+𝑓(𝑏)
∫𝑎 = ∑𝑏𝑎 (𝑏 − 𝑎) ∗ (28)
−𝑟𝐴 2

With which it was obtained that the value of the previous integral was of 58,30. Replacing in
equation (27), it was obtained that the volume of the PFR reactor was:
𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹𝐴𝑜 ∫ = 26,92 𝑓𝑡3
−𝑟𝐴
0
According to the previous calculations if you want to minimize the volume of reactor, the best
option would be to use a single PFR reactor, since with this configuration the lowest volume is
obtained, which is 26,92 ft3.

b).

As shown in graph 4, where the area underlined with red lines represents the volume for a CSTR
and the area underlined under the curve with orange line represents the volume for a PFR,
because the area under the curve is smaller than the area of a table that would be formed for a
CSTR. To determine the total value, equation 29 was used, and the summation volumes were
obtained using equations 19 and 27 for the CSTR and PFR reactor, respectively.

Graph 4. Disappearing speed versus fractional conversion

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𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 (29)

To determine the volume of the PFR, the range from 0 to 0.099 was graphed to determine the
adjustment of this curve and obtain the equation to determine the volume of that stretch, when:

1/-rA vs X
70
60 y = 5600x2 - 120x + 16
1/-rA (ft3.s/mol)

50 R² = 1
40
30
20
10
0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12
Conversion X

Graph 5. Disappearing speed versus fractional conversion

0,99 𝑑𝑥 0,99
𝑉1 = 𝐹𝐴𝑜 ∫0 = 𝐹𝐴𝑜 ∫0 (5600𝑥2 − 120𝑥 + 16)𝑑𝑥 = 1,40 𝑓𝑡3 (30)
−𝑟𝐴

𝐹𝐴0 𝑋 𝐹𝐴0 (0,85−0,099)

𝑉𝟐 = = = 21,778 𝑓𝑡3 (31)
−𝑟𝐴 −𝑟𝐴

Replacing (30) and (31) in (29) was obtained:

𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = (1,40 + 21,778)𝑓𝑡3 = 23,182 𝑓𝑡3

It was concluded that a minimum volume is obtained for the reaction, when a CSTR reactor is
used followed by a PFR for a final conversion of 85%.

3 (35 %) For achieving a conversion of 86%, calculate the total reactor volumes to process 30
L/min for the reaction with the rate of reaction r =kCA1.5, for CAo = 1.7 mol/L with k =
5*10-2 L0.5/mol0.5.s for the following reactors:

a. (5 %) A single PFR.
b. (5 %) A single CSTR.
c. (7 %) Two equal volume PFR’s in series.
d. (7 %) A PFR followed by a CSTR, with equal volumes.
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e. (6 %) A CSTR followed by a PFR, with equal volumes.

f. (5 %) What do you conclude from your results?
For the solution of all these cases, the following considerations will be taken into account:
1. All CSTR and PFR reactors work in steady state.
2. All systems are open systems.
3. The CSTR reactors are well stirred.
4. In CSTR reactors the properties do not vary with position.
5. The characteristics of the fluid inside and outside the reactor are equal.
6. In PFR reactors the fluid behaves like turbulent fluid.
7. In the PFR reactors there is only radial mixing and the velocity profile is flat.
8. In the PFR reactors the characteristics vary with the position. T
9. The volumetric flow for both cases is constant.

In addition to the following data that the problem gives us:

𝑟 = 𝑘𝐶𝐴1,5 (32)

Table 4. Data to solve the different problems.

X 0,86
V0 (L/min) 30
CA0 (mol/L) 1,7
k (L/mol)^1/2 0,05

With the volumetric flow and the initial concentration of A, the initial molar flow is calculated.

1,7𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐹𝐴0 = 𝐶𝐴0 ∗ 𝜐𝐴0 = ( ) (30𝐿/𝑚𝑖𝑛) = 51𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑚𝑖𝑛 (33)
𝐿

In units of mol/s 𝐹𝐴0 = 0,85𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑠

The following is to express the reaction rate in terms of the initial concentration and conversion:

𝐶𝐴= 𝐶𝐴𝑂 (1 − 𝑋) (34)

This equation is replaced in the reaction speed, to obtain the following:

𝑟 = 𝑘𝐶𝐴1,5 = 𝑘𝐶𝐴01,5 (1 − 𝑋)1,5 (35)

With all this resolved, you can begin to solve the problems posed:
a. Volume of the PFR
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To find the total volume of the reactor for the reaction 1 / 2A → B, we start from the design
equation of a PFR reactor, which is the following:
𝑋
𝑑𝑋
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹𝐴0 ∫ = 𝐹𝐴0 (36)
0 −𝑟𝐴
In this equation, we replace the reaction speed () for the solution of the integral:
𝑋
𝑑𝑋
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹𝐴0 ∫ 1,5 1,5
(37)
0 𝑘𝐶𝐴0 (1 − 𝑋)

Making a change of variable in the integral, where we call U = (1-X), and the dU = -dX, we get
the following:
𝑋
𝐹𝐴0 −𝑑𝑈
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = ∫ (38)
𝑘𝐶𝐴01,5 0 𝑈1,5

Solving the integral and returning to the original variable, we have the following equation
2𝐹𝐴0 1
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = 1,5 ((1 − 𝑋)0,5 − 1) (39)
𝑘𝐶𝐴0

With this equation, we can find the value of the total volume of the PFR reactor for this specific
case, which is: 𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅 = 25,657 𝐿.

b. Volume of the CSTR

For this case, we start with the design equation for a CSTR reactor, where the aforementioned
considerations are taken into account:
𝐹𝐴0 ∗ 𝑋
𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = (40)
−𝑟𝐴

Replacing the reaction rate in the above equation will result in the following:
𝐹𝐴0 ∗ 𝑋
𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = (41)
𝑘𝐶𝐴01,5 (1 − 𝑋)1,5

With this equation, we can already find the value of the total volume of the CSTR reactor by
replacing the necessary data for this specific case, which is:
𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = 125,916 𝐿

c. Total volume of two PFR reactors in series with equal volumes.

For this case, we start from the design equation seen above (42) for a PFR reactor, but to apply it
2 times, where only the values of the limits for the second reactor are changed, as can be seen
below:
 UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA
FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍA
DEPARTAMENTO DE INGENIERÍA QUÍMICA
INGENIERÍA DE LAS REACCIONES QUÍMICAS

𝑋2
𝑑𝑋
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅,2 = 𝐹𝐴0 ∫ (42)
𝑋1 𝑘𝐶𝐴01,5 (1 − 𝑋)1,5

It is solved in the same way as in case a. to obtain the following:

2𝐹𝐴0 1 1
𝑉𝑃𝐹𝑅,2 = 1,5 ((1 − 𝑋 )0,5 − (1 − 𝑋 )0,5 ) (43)
𝑘𝐶𝐴0 2 1

Equating the equations (42) and (43), since the condition of this problem is that the volumes of
the 2 reactors are equal, the following is obtained:
2𝐹𝐴0 1 1 2𝐹𝐴0 1
1,5 ((1 − 𝑋 )0,5 − (1 − 𝑋 )0,5 ) = 1,5 ((1 − 𝑋 )0,5 − 1) (44)
𝑘𝐶𝐴0 2 1 𝑘𝐶𝐴0 1

Solving this equation, the conversion in the first reactor is calculated:

𝑋1 = 0,703442
With this conversion of the first reactor, you can already calculate the volume of the 2 reactors
and the total volume, where you can see below:

Table 5. Results obtained for the volume of the reactors and the total volume to carry out the reaction.
VPFR1 (L) 12,828357
VPFR2 (L) 12,828347
VTOTAL (L) 25,656703

d. Total volume of a PFR reactor followed by a CSTR

For this point, we proceed analogously to the previous point, only that for reactor 2, we have the
design equation of a CSTR reactor, where it can be seen below:
𝐹𝐴0 ∗ (𝑋2 − 𝑋1 )
𝑉𝐶𝑆𝑇𝑅 = (45)
𝑘𝐶𝐴01,5 (1 − 𝑋2 )1,5

Equating the equations () and (), since it is the condition of this problem, you get the following:
2𝐹𝐴0 1 𝐹𝐴0 ∗ (𝑋2 − 𝑋1 )
1,5 ((1 − 𝑋 )0,5 − 1) = (46)
𝑘𝐶𝐴0 1 𝑘𝐶𝐴01,5 (1 − 𝑋2 )1,5

Clearing X1 from the above equation, the conversion for the first reactor is obtained. In addition,
after obtaining this value, the volumes are calculated for both reactors, as can be seen in the
following table:
Table 6. Results obtained for the volume of the reactors and the total volume to carry out the reaction.
X1 0,675957
VPFR (L) 26,946615
VCSTR (L) 26,946526
 UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA
FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍA
DEPARTAMENTO DE INGENIERÍA QUÍMICA
INGENIERÍA DE LAS REACCIONES QUÍMICAS

VTOTAL (L) 53,893141

e. Total volume of a CSTR reactor followed by a PFR

In this problem, we proceed analogously to the previous one, what changes is the location of the
reactors, where the equations (42) and (43) are equated, to obtain the value of the conversion in
the first reactor:
𝐹𝐴0 ∗ (𝑋1 ) 2𝐹𝐴0 1 1
1,5 = 1,5 ( 0,5
− )
𝑘𝐶𝐴0 (1 − 𝑋1 )1,5 𝑘𝐶𝐴0 (1 − 𝑋2 ) (1 − 𝑋1 )0,5
Clearing X1 from the above equation, the conversion for the first reactor is obtained. In addition,
after obtaining this value, the volumes are calculated for both reactors, as can be seen in the
following table:

Table 7. Results obtained for the volume of the reactors and the total volume to carry out the reaction.
X1 0,588374
VCSTR (L) 17,087354
VPFR (L) 17,087404
TTOTAL (L) 34,174758

f. Conclusions
Of these problems, we can conclude that the system of reactors that requires a smaller volume to
achieve the conversion of 86% of the reaction that indicates the problem is a single reactor of
PFR type, and as a second option is the system of two reactors in series of type PFR. Although
the values of the volume are very similar, which agrees with the literature, since it does not
matter if two plug flow reactors are placed in series or one is continuous, the overall volume of
the reactor needed to reach the same conversions is identical.

In addition, it can be observed that the system that requires a greater volume, is that of a single
reactor type CSTR, which agrees with the literature when compared with the other systems. It can
also be said that the serial CSTR-PFR system and the PFR-CSTR system are not the same, since
with the first system, although a lower conversion is achieved in the first reactor, the total volume
is smaller, besides the volumes for each one of the reactors they are smaller.