This simulation calculates the monetary profit as a function of reactor volume for a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) or a plug flow reactor (PFR). The reaction is either first-order or autocatalytic; set the feed concentrations of reactant and product with sliders. Use sliders to set the value of the product and the costs of the reactant and reactor. When the concentration plot is selected, the reactant and product concentrations are plotted versus reactor volume, and the final volume corresponds to the volume at the black dot. Click and drag the black dot on the profit versus reactor volume plot. Check “optimize” to solve for the reactor volume with the highest profit. The separations cost is not considered in this simulation, but it can significantly affect profit.

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About:

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

View the source code for this simulation