Isothermal Batch Reactors: Example Problems
Try to solve these problems before watching the solutions in the screencasts.
Example Problem 1
Styrene (S) and butadiene (B) are copolymerized in an isothermal batch reactor. The 27 m3 reactor was charged with 2,200 kg of styrene and 5,000 kg of butadiene. The polymerization is first order in S and first order in B and k = 0.036 m3/(kmol-h). The reaction is S + 3.2 B → polymer and constant density is assumed. What are the concentrations of S and B after 10 h?
Example Problem 2
Obtain a numerical solution to the equations obtained in Example Problem 1.
Example Problem 3
The elementary, irreversible liquid-phase hydration of butylene oxide produces butylene glycol. The reaction is conducted using water as the solvent, so that water is in large excess. The initial concentration of butylene oxide is 0.25 mol/L. The reaction rate constant is 8.3 x 10-4 L/mol-min at 323 K, the temperature at which this reaction is run: C4H8O + H2O → C4H10O2 . A batch reactor is designed for this system. Determine the final concentration of butylene oxide after 45 min of reaction time.