A first-order reaction is carried out in an isothermal plug flow reactor (PFR) with recycle. The fresh feed concentration (C_f = 0.2 mol/L) and volumetric flow rate are known. Use sliders to change the recycle ratio and the PFR volume. The correct reactant exit concentration (C_e) is obtained iteratively: the reactor feed concentration (C₀) is guessed with the slider, and the PFR mass balance is then solved to determine C_f. A mass balance around the mixing point before the PFR yields the calculated C₀. Change the C₀ value using the slider until the calculated C_f (the black arrow on the left) equals 0.2 mol/L (the center of the green circle). The graph on the right plots the reactant concentration down the PFR using the guessed C₀ value. For larger values of the recycle ratio, the PFR with recycle behaves like a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR).

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About:

This simulation was made at the University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.  Author: Rachael L. Baumann

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