CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

CHEMICAL REACTION CATEGORY L T P CREDIT

CHT305
ENGINEERING PCC 3 1 0 4

Preamble: Sound knowledge in Reaction Engineering is very important for Chemical

Engineers. The goal of this course is to develop a critical approach to chemical reactor
design. This course would enable students to gain knowledge with respect to kinetics of
homogeneous reaction, provide a foundation on deriving rate expressions for series, parallel,
reversible reactions by the interpretation of batch reactor data, design of ideal reactors, design
for single and for multiple reactions, non isothermal reactor design and incorporation of non
ideality in reactor design.

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge in Chemical Process Principles & Chemical Engineering

Thermodynamics

Course Outcomes: After the completion of the course the student will be able to
CO 1 Explain the principles of chemical kinetics and determine chemical kinetic
parameters using batch reactor data.
CO 2 Design of chemical reactors under ideal conditions.
CO 3 Design of single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors.
CO 4 Design chemical reactors for non-isothermal operations.
CO 5 Design chemical reactors for non-ideal conditions.

Mapping of course outcomes with program outcomes

PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO
PO1 PO2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
CO 1 3 3

CO 2 3 2 3

CO 3 3 2 3

CO 4 3 2 3

CO 5 3 2 3

Assessment Pattern
Continuous Assessment Tests
Bloom’s Category End Semester Examination
1 2
Remember 10 10 10
Understand 20 20 20
Apply 20 20 70
Analyse
Evaluate
Create
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Mark distribution
Total Marks CIE ESE ESE Duration

150 50 100 3 hours

Continuous Internal Evaluation Pattern:

Attendance : 10 marks
Continuous Assessment Test (2 numbers) : 25 marks
Assignment/Quiz/Course project : 15 marks

End Semester Examination Pattern: There will be two parts; Part A and Part B. Part A
contain 10 questions with 2 questions from each module, having 3 marks for each question.
Students should answer all questions. Part B contains 2 questions from each module of which
student should answer any one. Each question can have maximum 2 sub-divisions and carry
14 marks.

Course Level Assessment Questions

Course Outcome 1 (CO1): Explain the principles of chemical kinetics and determine
chemical kinetic parameters using batch reactor data.
1. Device a mechanism for HBr reaction H2+ Br2 2HBr

2. The following data are obtained at 0oC in a constant volume batch reactor using pure
gaseous A for the reaction A → 2.5R.
Time(min) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 ∞

pA, mm Hg 760 600 475 390 320 275 240 215 150
Find the rate equation which satisfactorily represents the data.
3. Find the overall order of the reaction from the following constant volume data using
equimolar amount of hydrogen and nitric oxide.

Total pressure, mm of Hg 200 240 280 320 360

Half-life, sec 265 186 115 104 67

Course Outcome 2 (CO2): Design of chemical reactors under ideal conditions.

1. Establish the performance equation of a piston flow reactor, where the reaction is A
 R which is a first order irreversible gas phase reaction.
2. An aqueous reaction A+ B products with known kinetics -rA= 500 litre/ mol.min
CACB is to takes place in an experimental tubular reactor under the following
condition. Volume of reactor V= 0.1 litre. Volumetric flow rate v = 0.05 litre/min.
Concentration of the reactant feed CA0=CB0 = 0.01 mol/ litre.
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a. What fractional conversion of reactants can be expected?

b. For the same conversion in part A what size of stirred tank reactors is needed.
c. What conversion can be expected in a MFR equal in size to a PFR.
3. An aqueous reactant stream (4 mol A/liter) passes through a mixed flow
reactor followed by a plug flow reactor. Find the concentration at the
exit of the plug flow reactor if in the mixed flow reactor CA= 1 mol/liter. The reaction
is second-order with respect to A, and the volume of the plug flow unit is
three times that of the mixed flow unit.

Course Outcome 3 (CO3): Design of single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors.
1. Show that performance of a N equal size mixed flow reactor in series approaches to a
performance equation of PFR. Assume reaction is first order
2. Obtain maximum concentration of R for a reaction ARS which occurs in mixed
flow reactor.
3. Derive the performance equation of recycle reactor.

Course Outcome 4 (CO4): Design chemical reactors for non-isothermal operations.

1. An irreversible first order isomerisation reaction A→ R is carried out in liquid phase
in a MFR. Rate constant k at 1650C is 0.7 hr-1. Activation energy is 120000 J/mol.
Heat of reaction is -350KJ/kg. Heat capacity of reactants and products are 1.95 KJ/kg
K. Volumetric flow rate is 0.33 m3 /hr. Feed temperature is 20oC and conversion
expected is 95%. Calculate the reactor size and temperature of the reaction mixture if
the reactor is operated adiabatically.
2. The first order liquid phase reaction A→ R is carried out in a MFR. The concentration
of reactant in the feed is 4 mol/l. Volumetric flow rate is 200 cm3 /s. Density and
specific heat of the reaction mixture are 1.2 g/cm3 and 0.9 cal/g 0C. The volume of the
reactor is 10 lit. The reactor operates adiabatically. The feed enters at temperature
2000C. Determine the possible temperatures and conversions for stable, adiabatic
operation.
3. Derive the expression for conversion for a non isothermal adiabatic reaction starting
from the energy balance equation.

Course Outcome 5 (CO5): Design chemical reactors for non-ideal conditions.

1. Discuss the importance of residence time distribution studies the design of chemical
reactors. Also obtain the relation between C, E and F curves.
2. In a reactor liquid decomposing with rate –rA= kCA where k=0.307 min-1. Find the
fraction of reactants unconverted in the real reactor of the same size. RTD study
conducted in the reactor gives following data.
Time 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Tracer output, conc. gm/litre of 0 3 5 5 4 2 1 0
fluid
3. Discuss briefly on determination of E and F curve in a laminar flow reactor.
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Model Question paper

QP CODE: PAGES:3
Reg No:______________ Name :______________

APJ ABDUL KALAM TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

FIFTH SEMESTER B. TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION, MONTH & YEAR
Course Code: CHT305
CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING
Max. Marks: 100 Duration: 3 Hours
(2019-Scheme)

PART A
(Answer all questions, each question carries 3 marks)
1. Define molecularity and order of a chemical reaction.
2. The rate constants of a certain reaction are 1.6×10-3 and 1.625×10-2 (s)-1 at 10°C
and 30°C. Calculate the activation energy in KJ/mol.
3. Define space time and space velocity.
4. Explain on different types of ideal reactors.
5. Define an autocatalytic reaction. Give an example.
6. Explain on recycle ratio and recycle reactor.
7. List the steps involved in non-isothermal reactor design.
8. Write note on optimum temperature progression.
9. Explain the importance of RTD studies in non-ideal reactors.
10. List the properties of tracers in RTD studies.

PART B
(Answer one full question from each module, each question carries 14 marks)

Module I
11. a. Device a mechanism for HBr reaction H2+ Br2 2HBr

(7)
b. Derive the integral equation for a second order reaction with equimolar
concentrations of the reactants. (7)
12. a. The half-life period for a certain first order reaction is 2.5×103s. Determine the
time taken for ¼ of the reactant to be left behind. (7)
b. After 8 minutes in a batch reactor, reactant (CA0 = 1 mol/liter) is 80% converted;
after 18 minutes, conversion is 90%. Find a rate equation to represent this reaction.
(7)
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Module II
13. a. Establish the performance equation of a piston flow reactor, where the reaction is
A  R which is a first order irreversible gas phase reaction. (6)

b. An aqueous reactant stream (4 mol A/liter) passes through a mixed flow

reactor followed by a plug flow reactor. Find the concentration at the exit
of the plug flow reactor if in the mixed flow reactor CA = 1mol/liter. The
reaction is second-order with respect to A, and the volume of the plug
flow unit is three times that of the mixed flow unit. (8)

14. a. Derive the performance equation for a batch reactor. (6)

b. The reaction of triphenyl methyl chloride (trityl) (A) and methanol (B),
A+B → C+D
was carried out in a batch reactor and the following data were obtained.

Time, min 0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Concentration of A
(mol/dm3) x 103 50 38 30.6 25.6 22.2 19.5 17.4

The initial concentration of methanol was 0.5 mol/dm3. Determine the reaction order
with respect to triphenyl methyl chloride and the specific reaction rate constant. (8)

Module III
15. a. Show that performance of a N equal size mixed flow reactor in series approaches
to a performance equation of PFR. Assume reaction is first order. (7)
b. Explain the method to determine the minimum size of two mixed reactors
connected in series to achieve a specified conversion. (7)
16. a. Show that performance of a N equal size mixed flow reactor in series approaches
to a performance equation of PFR. Assume reaction is first order. (7)
b. For a liquid feed (n=1, CA0 = 10 mol/liter) to a plug flow reactor with recycle of
product (R = 2), 90% conversion is obtained. If the recycle stream is shut off,
determine by how much this will lower the processing rate of feed to the same 90%
conversion. (7)

Module IV
17. The first order liquid phase reaction A→ R is carried out in a MFR. The
concentration of reactant in the feed is 4 mol/l. Volumetric flow rate is 200 cm3 /s.
Density and specific heat of the reaction mixture are 1.2 g/cm3 and 0.9 cal/g 0C. The
volume of the reactor is 10 lit. The reactor operates adiabatically. The feed enters at
temperature 200C. Determine the possible temperatures and conversions for stable,
adiabatic operation.
Take ΔHr= -46000 cal/mol and k= 1.8x105 exp(-12000/RT),s-1. (14)
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18. a. Derive the expression for conversion for a non isothermal adiabatic reaction
starting from the energy balance equation. (7)
b. Develop the expression to find the variations of equilibrium constants with
temperature. (7)

Module V
19. a. Discuss the importance of residence time distribution studies the design of
chemical reactors. Also obtain the relation between C, E and F curves. (10)
b. Explain causes for non ideality in real reactors (4)
-1
20. a. In a reactor liquid decomposing with rate –rA=kCA where k=0.307 min . Find the
fraction of reactants unconverted in the real reactor of the same size. RTD study
conducted in the reactor gives following data
Time 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Tracer output, conc. gm/litre of fluid 0 3 5 5 4 2 1 0

(8)
b. Discuss briefly on determination of E and F curve in a laminar flow reactor. (6)

Syllabus
Module 1(10 hours)
Overview of chemical reaction engineering. Classification of chemical reactions. Variables
affecting the rate of reaction. Definition of reaction rate. Kinetics of homogeneous reaction.
Concentration dependent term of rate equation. Kinetic models for Nonelementary reactions.
Temperature dependent term of rate equation. Temperature dependency from Arrhenius law,
Collision theory and transition state theory (no derivation).
Interpretation of batch reactor data-Evaluation of rate equation by integral and differential
analysis for constant volume and variable volume system

Module 2 (8 hours)
Introduction to reactor design. Classification of reactors. Ideal reactors for a single reaction-
Ideal batch reactor- Steady state mixed flow reactor-Steady state plug flow reactor. Holding
time and space time for flow reactors.

Module 3 (12 hours)

Design for single reactions-Size comparison of single reactors- Multiple reactor systems-
Plug flow reactor in series and parallel, equal sized mixed reactors in series, mixed flow
reactors of different sizes in series, determination of the best system for a given conversion.
Recycle reactor. Auto catalytic reactions. Design for multiple reactions, Reactions in
parallel, contacting patterns for reactions in parallel.

Module 4 (7 hours)
Non isothermal reactor design - Temperature and pressure effects - single reactions-
Heat of reaction from thermodynamic, heat of reaction and temperature, equilibrium
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constants from thermodynamics. General graphical design procedure, optimum

temperature progression. Heat effects: adiabatic operations and non-adiabatic operations
Multiple Steady States in CSTR. Multiple reactions: Product distribution and temperature.

Module 5 (8 hours)
Non ideality in reactors- Basics of non ideal flow- Residence time distribution studies-C, E
& F curves and their relationships. Conversion in non ideal reactors.
RTD in ideal reactors: Batch and plug flow reactors, single CSTR, Laminar flow reactor.
Models for non ideal flow-dispersion model and tank in series model.

Text Books
1. Levenspiel Octave, “Chemical Reaction Engineering”, John Wiley & Sons, Third Edition.
2. H Scott Fogler, “Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering”, Prentice Hall of India,
Fifth Edition.
3. Smith J.M, “Chemical Engineering Kinetics,” McGraw Hill.

Reference Books
1. James J Carberry, “Chemical &Catalytic Reaction Engineering”, Mc Graw Hill.
2. K.G Denbigh& J.C.R Turner, “Chemical Reactor Theory- An Introduction”, Cambridge
University Press.
3. Lanny D Schmidt, “The Engineering of Chemical Reactions”, Oxford University Press.
4. Ronald W. Missen, Charles A. Mims, Bradley A. Saville, „Introduction to Chemical
Reaction Engineering and Kinetics‟, John Wiley & Sons
5. Hill C.G., An Introduction to Chemical Engineering Kinetics & Reactor Design, John
Wiley

Course Contents and Lecture Schedule

No Topic No. of Lectures

1 Module I (10 Hours)
1.1 Overview of chemical reaction engineering. Classification of 1
chemical reactions. Variables affecting the rate of reaction.
1.2 Definition of reaction rate. Kinetics of homogeneous reaction. 1
Concentration dependent term of rate equation.
1.3 Kinetic models for Non-elementary reactions. 2
1.4 Temperature dependent term of rate equation. Temperature 1
dependency from Arrhenius law, Collision theory and transition
state theory (no derivation).
1.5 Interpretation of batch reactor data. 3
Evaluation of rate equation by integral analysis for constant volume
system
1.6 Evaluation of rate equation by differential analysis for constant 1
volume system
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1.7 Evaluation of rate equation by integral analysis for variable volume 1

system
2 Module II (8Hours)
2.1 Introduction to reactor design. Classification of reactors. 1
2.2 Ideal reactors for a single reaction- Ideal batch reactor 2
2.3 Steady state mixed flow reactor 2
2.4 Steady state plug flow reactor. 2
2.5 Steady state plug flow reactor. 1
3 Module III (12 Hours)
3.1 Design for single reactions-Size comparison of single reactors 2
3.2 Multiple reactor systems- Plug flow reactor in series and parallel 1
3.3 Equal sized mixed reactors in series, mixed flow reactors of 3
different sizes in series, determination of the best system for a given
conversion.
3.4 Recycle reactor and Auto catalytic reactions. 3
3.5 Design for multiple reactions: Reactions in parallel, contacting 3
patterns for reactions in parallel.
4 Module IV (7 Hours)
4.1 Non isothermal reactor design - Temperature and pressure 1
effects - single reactions- Heat of reaction from
thermodynamic
4.2 Heat of reaction and temperature, equilibrium constants from 1
thermodynamics.
4.3 General graphi cal design procedure, optimum temperature 1
progression.
4.4 Heat effects: adiabatic operations 1
4.5 Heat effects: non-adiabatic operations 1
4.6 Multiple Steady States in CSTR. 1
4.7 Multiple reactions: Product distribution and temperature. 1
5 Module V (8 Hours)
5.1 Non ideality in reactors. Basics of non ideal flow. 1
5.2 Residence time distribution studies-C, E & F curves and their 2
relationships.
5.3 Conversion in non ideal reactors. 1
5.4 RTD in ideal reactors: Batch and plug flow reactors, single CSTR, 2
Laminar flow reactor.
5.5 Models for non ideal flow-dispersion model and tank in series 2
model.