The reaction A + B → C takes place in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) that has a volume of 20 m3. The feed is at 295 K and contains propylene oxide (A), water (B), and methanol (M), each at a flow rate of 91 mol/h. The product (C) is propylene glycol. The volumetric flow rate to the reactor is 25 m3/h. The heat capacities in J/(mol K) are CPA = 146, CPB = 75, CPC = 192, and CPM = 79.
The reaction is first order in A, zero order in B; k = 6.9 x 1010e(-75,000/RT) h-1 where the activation energy is in units of J/mol. The heat of reaction is -56,800 J/mol.
The CSTR is surrounded by a cooling jacket and the heat transfer coefficient time the heat transfer area = 1.0 x 104 J/(h K). The cooling water temperature is 305 K and is assumed constant. What are the steady-state operating conditions for this CSTR?