Chapter 13

Example 13.2: Calculate Xmm and Xseg

Calculate the conversion in a real reactor using the segregation and the maximum mixedness model.  The reaction A -> B with rate law  is carried out in a real reactor that has the following F-curve. The entering concentration of A is 2 molar with a volumetric flow rate of 2 dm3/min. The following F(t) was determined from a trace test

 

Calculate the conversion using

1)   the segregation model

2)   the maximum mixedness model

Explain the difference in conversions between the two models.









 

Solution

1)   Xseg = 0.83 [see attached polymath codes]

2)   Xmm = 0.83 [see attached polymath codes]

 

Both models predict the same conversion! The reason is: for reaction order 0 < n < 1, max mixedness predicts higher conversion and for n > 1, segregation predicts higher “X”. In this case, the reaction goes from 0 order to 2nd order as CA decreases. Thus, the predictions of the tow models average out.

 

 


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