Project ForgeChemical Reaction Engineering
Ideal Reactor Design
GATE 2017
Hard
For reaction A→P, 1/(−rA) vs. XA decreases from XA=0 to a minimum near XA=0.5, then rises sharply toward XA=1. Feed is pure A, 90% conversion desired. Which reactor configuration gives the lowest total reactor volume?
- CSTR followed by PFR
- BTwo CSTRs in series
- CPFR followed by CSTR
- DA single PFR
Explanation
For a 1/(−rA) curve with a minimum, minimum total volume is achieved using a CSTR over the decreasing-to-minimum region (where CSTR's rectangle beats the PFR's area under the curve) followed by a PFR for the rising tail beyond the minimum.
Source: GATE CH 2017 (2017)
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