Azeem Khan

B00230817
CSTRs in series
THT-2 Report
Dr Mojtaba Mirzaeian
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1.... Safety, Aim & Theory
Page 2 ..................... Apparatus & Method
Page 3-5 ................................. Results
Page 6 ................. Discussion & Conclusion
Page 7-8 .................................. Reference & Appendices

SAFETY
All the usual obligations apply when working in a lab i.e. wearing safety glasses and a lab
coat at all times. Furthermore; all instructions i.e. the experimental lab manual and the
chemical safety sheet, should be fully understood. Finally, maturity should be implemented
when carrying out the experiment, for you as well as for others in the vicinity.

AIM
The aim of this experiment is to find the residence time distribution (RTD) for a chemical
reactor. In particular, this experiment will involve three identical continuous stirred tank
reactors in series.

THEORY
The principle of this experiment is to analyse the conductivity of three reactors, and
subsequently, using this data to find the residence time.
The tanks initially start off being filled with KCl, which is progressively replaced with H2O.
The conductivity varies with concentration. The conductivity also varies within the three
reactors i.e the conductivity in the first tank depends on the concentration. This is different
from the second tank as the conductivity, which again is contrasting with the third.
Furthermore, the trend of CSTRs in series is; for the first tank, an exponential shaped curve is
obtained. For the remaining two reactors, the trend of an S-shaped curved is obtained.

Finally, the relationship between the conductivity and concentration is directly

proportional i.e. the link between them is given by a linear relationship.

APPARATUS
Digital conductivity display with
selector dial to switch between
the three reactors

Conductivity Probe
*Please refer to the appendices for the actual equipment specifications.
The above is a flow-sheet of the apparatus. However, please note that in the case of this
experiment; there is only one reagent vessel, not two like shown above. In addition to this,
a stopwatch is also required to take readings of the experiment in 30 seconds increments
for 45 minutes.
The equipment used is the Armfeild C.E.P continuous reactors in series. This comes with its
own degree of accuracy i.e. when measuring the conductivity, or even the efficiency of
the pump.

METHOD
The experiment can be set up in two different manners:

The tanks initially start off being filled with water, which is progressively replaced
with a solution of potassium chloride.

The tanks initially start off being filled with KCl, which is progressively replaced with
H2O.

Either method can be used. The procedure below deals with the tank initially being filled
with KCl.

1. All of the three tanks are initially filled up with water up till their standpipes.
2. The stirrers are started and the speed is adjusted to the dial setting of 8.
3. The water feed pump is initiated and the speed dial is adjusted to the dial setting of
6. Simultaneously, the stopwatch is started.
4. The selector dial is switchable between the three reactors. Note of the conductivity
for all three reactors is taken after every 30 seconds increment; over a period of 45
minutes.

RESULTS
Once the experiment is complete, the conductivity data is used to calculate the
concentration level in each of the reactors. A graphical plot is then obtained of
concentration against time.
Subsequently; the theoretical relationship, between concentration and time for each of
the reactors, is calculated.
For the first reactor, the equation is given by:

Similarly, for the 2nd and 3rd reactors, the equation is given by:

and

respectively. The above equations are Eulers solutions, but with some estimations.
The experimental residence time is calculated from the equation
Diameter =
Where: v =

m
xh

&

height =

m3

And flowrate = 54 ml/min from equipment data from graph.

=

(Litres)

60 (Seconds)

So, theoretical residence time: T =

l/s

m3/s

= 817.7 seconds

Please note that the above height is the height of the fluid in the tank, and not of the
actual vessel. In addition to this, the reactor accommodates an overflow tube so that the
volume stays constant.
Concentration is directly proportional to the concentration
Initial Concentration = 0.1

Conductivity

9.69

11.19

10.08

Proportionality

0.01032

0.00894

0.00992

Proportionality =

Sample Calculation at time = 0, 30 and 1 = 9.69, 9.46 respectively;

Using the above proportionality analysis
Experimental Concentration (C.Ex.1)
For Run 1: = 9.69 x 0.01032 = 0.1 M
For Run 2: = 9.46 x 0.01032 = 0.098 M
Since Conductivity is directly proportional to the concentration. For the theoretical data
curve, the conductivity against time is equivalent to the concentration vs time.

DATA CURV E ; CON D UCT IV IT Y VS T IM E

1

Linear (1)

Linear (2)

Linear (3)

14

12
y = -0.0035x + 11.67
R = 0.9938

CONCENTRATION (M)

10

8
y = -0.0022x + 11.034
R = 0.9571

y = -0.0031x + 7.5473
R = 0.8987

0
0

500

1000

1500

-2
TIME (S)

2000

2500

3000

From Eulers solution at t=0

Therefore, the residence time T can be calculated from the initial gradient of the data
curve. On excel, the slope function is used to calculate the residence time using the first
few points of the data curve.
Where;

(Concentration vs time) is the initial slope (gradient)

0 seconds
30 s
60 s
90 s
Conc.Exp1
0.1
0.09762642 0.09514964 0.09205366
Conc.Exp2
0.1
0.0999106 0.0999106 0.0996425
Conc.Exp3
0.1
0.1
0.10009921 0.10009921

Slope
-0.0031
-0.0035
-0.0022

T=E(dA/dt)
-32.2580645
-28.5714286
-45.4545455

T =
=
= - 32.258
From the residence time interpreted from the data plot above, the theoretical
concentration can now be calculated.

Run 1

Run 1

Run 1

= 0.093 M

= 0.098 M

= 0.065 M

Run 2

Run 2

Run 2

= 0.091 M

= 0.064 M

= 0.087 M

DISCUSSION
There is a difference in the calculated residence time and the experimental residence
time. This may be accounted for by many factors:
One factor to account for the difference in residence time can be due to the equipment
used. The pump speed setting can affect the efficiency of the pump, choosing a high
setting can increase the friction acting on the fluid inside the pumps, this can adversely
affect the residence time.
In addition to this, the stirrers can affect the mixing in the reactor, therefore directly
affecting the concentration and residence time.
Another factor could be due to reaction time. When taking readings after every 30
second increment, the conductivity changes with time. When noting the conductivity of
the first reactor, this takes up time, and the conductivity of the second reactor changes
slightly before a reading can be noted, and more so with the third vessel.
One improvement that can be made is to
have separate digital dials for the three vessels
that measure the conductivity. So that no time
is wasted taking a fast accurate reading.
Another improvement that can be made is
with the equipment calibration graph to obtain
the volumetric flowrate. The graph was scaled
in increments of 20 along the Y-axis, so when
reading the flowrate from this graph; it is not as
accurate as it could be.
Comparing the graphs between experimental and theoretical; for the theoretical, the
data curves are a lot closer together but for the experimental, the data curves are further
apart. This may be due to the conditions. The requirements require steady state conditions
i.e. the conditions are constant for the theoretical. But for the experimental, the condition
may not be constant e.g. the pump settings, ambient temperature and pressure etc.
Finally, on excel, the flowrate was altered to analyse if the flowrate would affect the final
results. It was found out that although the shape of the graphs obtained was the same,
the difference in residence was less minimal i.e. closer together.

CONCLUSION
To conclude this report, the experimental and theoretical residence time for the
continuous stirred tank reactors in series, was successfully calculated.
Furthermore, a comparison is made between the experimental result and the theoretical
outcome.
Finally, as a pharmaceutical manufacturer, residence time can be an important factor, for

example. It can be vital to know the residence time of a particular drug (medicinal) in
your system, so that the correct safe dosage can be prepared. It can also be useful to
reduce the concentration in a controlled manner for safe storage or disposal.

REFERENCES

Perrys Handbook. 5th Edition. Chapter 23-17. Ideal CSTR 25/10/13 Perrys Handbook. 5th Edition. Chapter 23-19. Characterisation of Residence time
distribution curves 25/10/13 Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.umich.edu/~elements/asyLearn/bits/cstr/ . [Accessed 24 October 2013].
Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors - Reactors - MEL Equipment Encyclopedia 4.0.
2013. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/Reactors/CSTR/CSTR.html .
[Accessed 29 October 2013].

APPENDICES
Symbol
d
H
f
T1
T2

t
C.Ex.1
C.Th.1

Description
Diameter
Height
Flowrate
residence time experimental
residence time theoretical
Conductivity
Time
Concentration Experimental Reactor 1
Concentration Theoretical Reactor 1

*Equipment specifications
Requirements
Armfeild C.E.P continuous reactors in series
Single phase electrical supply
CEP-A: 220/240v/1ph/50Hz @ 5 amps
CEP-B: 120v/1ph/60Hz @ 10amps
Shipping Specification
Volume: 0.8m
Gross weight: 50kg
Overall dimensions
Height: 0.55m
Width: 1.0m
Depth: 0.5m

Units (SI)
M
M
ml/min
S
S
Siemens
mS
kg/m3
Kg/m3

Value
0.09
0.115
54
817.7
-

Data Curve; Concentration vs Time

Conc.exp1

Conc.exp2

Conc.exp3

Linear (Conc.exp1)

Linear (Conc.exp2)

Linear (Conc.exp3)

0.12
y = -2E-05x + 0.1095
R = 0.9571

0.1

Concentration (M)

0.08
0.06

y = -3E-05x + 0.1043
R = 0.9938

0.04
y = -3E-05x + 0.0779
R = 0.8987

0.02
0
-0.02

Time (S)

THEORETICAL CONCENTRATION VS TIME

Conc.th1

Conc.th2

Conc.th3

0.12

CONCENTRATION (M)

0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0

500

1000

1500
TIME (S)

2000

2500

3000

THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL

CONCENTRATION VS TIME
Conc.exp1

Conc.exp2

Conc.exp3

Conc.th1

Conc.th2

Conc.th3

CONCENTRATION (M)

0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

TIME (S)

Proforma Data
Time
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
330
360
390
420
450
480
510
540
570
600
630
660

1
9.69
9.46
9.22
8.92
8.66
8.42
8.18
7.94
7.7
7.5
7.26
7.05
6.83
6.64
6.54
6.25
6.06
5.88
5.71
5.54
5.38
5.22
5.06

2
11.2
11.2
11.2
11.2
11.1
11.1
11
10.9
10.9
10.8
10.8
10.7
10.7
10.5
10.4
10.4
10.2
10.1
10
9.9
9.81
9.67
9.54

3
10.08
10.08
10.09
10.09
10.09
10.1
10.1
10.09
10.09
10.09
10.08
10.07
10.06
10.05
10.03
10.02
10.01
9.98
9.96
9.93
9.9
9.87
9.83

C.Ex.1
0.1
0.0976264
0.0951496
0.0920537
0.0893705
0.0868937
0.0844169
0.0819401
0.0794634
0.0773994
0.0749226
0.0727554
0.070485
0.0685243
0.0674923
0.0644995
0.0625387
0.0606811
0.0589267
0.0571723
0.0555212
0.05387
0.0522188

C.Ex.2
0.1
0.099911
0.099911
0.099643
0.099196
0.099106
0.09866
0.097766
0.097676
0.096515
0.096336
0.095621
0.095353
0.094102
0.093208
0.093208
0.091421
0.090349
0.089544
0.088472
0.087668
0.086416
0.085255

C.Ex.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.099901
0.099802
0.099702
0.099504
0.099405
0.099306
0.099008
0.09881
0.098512
0.098214
0.097917
0.09752

C.Th.1
0.0929999
0.08648981
0.08043543
0.07480487
0.06956845
0.06469859
0.06016962
0.05595769
0.05204059
0.0483977
0.04500981
0.04185908
0.0389289
0.03620384
0.03366953
0.03131263
0.02912071
0.02708223
0.02518645
0.02342337
0.02178371
0.02025883
0.01884069

C.Th2
0.097651357
0.090815662
0.084458473
0.078546294
0.073047973
0.06793454
0.063179053
0.058756454
0.054643442
0.050818346
0.047261009
0.04395269
0.040875957
0.038014598
0.035353537
0.032878754
0.030577207
0.028436772
0.026446168
0.02459491
0.022873241
0.02127209
0.019783022

C.Th3
0.06444996
0.059938397
0.055742648
0.051840606
0.04821171
0.044836841
0.041698216
0.038779299
0.036064708
0.033540142
0.031192297
0.029008805
0.026978159
0.02508966
0.023333358
0.021699999
0.020180977
0.018768288
0.017454489
0.016232657
0.015096354
0.014039594
0.013056808

690
720
750
780
810
840
870
900
930
960
990
1020
1050
1080
1110
1140
1170
1200
1230
1260
1290
1320
1350
1380
1410
1440
1470
1500
1530
1560
1590
1620
1650
1680
1710
1740
1770
1800
1830
1860
1890
1920
1950
1980
2010

4.92
4.77
4.63
4.49
4.36
4.23
4.11
3.98
3.86
3.75
3.64
3.53
3.43
3.32
3.22
3.12
3.04
2.94
2.86
2.77
2.69
2.61
2.53
2.45
2.38
2.31
2.24
2.17
2.09
2.04
1.98
1.92
1.86
1.8
1.76
1.7
1.65
1.6
1.55
1.5
1.46
1.41
1.37
1.33
1.29

9.45
9.32
9.2
9.09
8.97
8.84
8.72
8.59
8.46
8.32
8.21
8.09
7.96
7.82
7.71
7.56
7.45
7.32
7.2
7.08
6.94
6.83
6.72
6.59
6.48
6.35
6.23
6.12
6
5.9
5.8
5.67
5.56
5.45
5.35
5.25
5.26
5.05
4.95
4.85
4.76
4.65
4.56
4.47
4.38

9.8
9.76
9.72
9.68
9.63
9.59
9.54
9.49
9.43
9.37
9.32
9.26
9.2
9.13
9.07
9.01
8.93
8.86
8.8
8.72
8.64
8.57
8.5
8.41
8.43
8.26
8.18
8.09
8.01
7.93
7.85
7.77
7.68
7.54
7.51
7.43
7.35
7.25
7.17
7.08
7.01
6.9
6.81
6.72
6.65

0.050774
0.049226
0.0477812
0.0463364
0.0449948
0.0436533
0.0424149
0.0410733
0.0398349
0.0386997
0.0375645
0.0364293
0.0353973
0.0342621
0.0332301
0.0321981
0.0313725
0.0303406
0.029515
0.0285862
0.0277606
0.026935
0.0261094
0.0252838
0.0245614
0.023839
0.0231166
0.0223942
0.0215686
0.0210526
0.0204334
0.0198142
0.019195
0.0185759
0.0181631
0.0175439
0.0170279
0.0165119
0.0159959
0.0154799
0.0150671
0.0145511
0.0141383
0.0137255
0.0133127

0.08445
0.083289
0.082216
0.081233
0.080161
0.078999
0.077927
0.076765
0.075603
0.074352
0.073369
0.072297
0.071135
0.069884
0.068901
0.06756
0.066577
0.065416
0.064343
0.063271
0.06202
0.061037
0.060054
0.058892
0.057909
0.056747
0.055675
0.054692
0.053619
0.052726
0.051832
0.05067
0.049687
0.048704
0.047811
0.046917
0.047006
0.04513
0.044236
0.043342
0.042538
0.041555
0.040751
0.039946
0.039142

0.097222
0.096825
0.096429
0.096032
0.095536
0.095139
0.094643
0.094147
0.093552
0.092956
0.09246
0.091865
0.09127
0.090575
0.08998
0.089385
0.088591
0.087897
0.087302
0.086508
0.085714
0.08502
0.084325
0.083433
0.083631
0.081944
0.081151
0.080258
0.079464
0.078671
0.077877
0.077083
0.07619
0.074802
0.074504
0.07371
0.072917
0.071925
0.071131
0.070238
0.069544
0.068452
0.06756
0.066667
0.065972

0.01752182
0.01629528
0.01515459
0.01409375
0.01310718
0.01218966
0.01133637
0.01054282
0.00980481
0.00911846
0.00848016
0.00788654
0.00733447
0.00682105
0.00634357
0.00589952
0.00548654
0.00510248
0.0047453
0.00441313
0.0041042
0.0038169
0.00354972
0.00330123
0.00307014
0.00285523
0.00265536
0.00246948
0.00229662
0.00213585
0.00198634
0.00184729
0.00171798
0.00159772
0.00148588
0.00138187
0.00128513
0.00119517
0.00111151
0.0010337
0.00096134
0.00089405
0.00083146
0.00077326
0.00071913

0.018398191
0.017110298
0.01591256
0.014798665
0.013762743
0.012799337
0.01190337
0.011070122
0.010295202
0.009574528
0.008904301
0.008280991
0.007701313
0.007162213
0.006660851
0.006194584
0.005760957
0.005357684
0.004982641
0.004633851
0.004309477
0.004007809
0.003727258
0.003466346
0.003223698
0.002998036
0.002788171
0.002592996
0.002411484
0.002242677
0.002085688
0.001939687
0.001803907
0.001677632
0.001560196
0.001450981
0.00134941
0.00125495
0.001167103
0.001085404
0.001009425
0.000938764
0.00087305
0.000811935
0.000755099

0.012142818
0.011292808
0.0105023
0.009767128
0.009083419
0.008447571
0.007856232
0.007306288
0.00679484
0.006319194
0.005876844
0.005465459
0.005082872
0.004727065
0.004396166
0.00408843
0.003802236
0.003536075
0.003288546
0.003058345
0.002844257
0.002645156
0.002459993
0.002287791
0.002127643
0.001978706
0.001840194
0.001711379
0.001591581
0.001480168
0.001376555
0.001280195
0.00119058
0.001107238
0.00102973
0.000957648
0.000890612
0.000828268
0.000770288
0.000716367
0.000666221
0.000619585
0.000576213
0.000535878
0.000498366

2040
2070
2100
2130
2160
2190
2220
2250
2280
2310
2340
2370
2400
2430
2460
2490
2520
2550
2580
2610
2640
2670

1.25
1.21
1.17
1.14
1.1
1.07
1.04
1.01
0.98
0.95
0.92
0.89
0.86
0.83
0.81
0.79
0.76
0.75
0.71
0.69
0.67
0.65

4.28
4.2
4.12
4.03
3.85
3.6
3.78
3.71
3.62
3.54
3.47
3.4
3.33
3.25
3.18
3.12
3.04
2.98
2.91
2.85
2.79
2.73

6.56
6.47
6.4
6.31
6.22
6.13
6.05
5.96
5.88
5.8
5.71
5.63
5.55
5.46
5.38
5.3
5.22
5.14
5.07
4.99
4.91
4.83

0.0128999
0.0124871
0.0120743
0.0117647
0.0113519
0.0110423
0.0107327
0.0104231
0.0101135
0.0098039
0.0094943
0.0091847
0.0088751
0.0085655
0.0083591
0.0081527
0.0078431
0.0077399
0.0073271
0.0071207
0.0069143
0.0067079

0.038248
0.037534
0.036819
0.036014
0.034406
0.032172
0.03378
0.033155
0.03235
0.031635
0.03101
0.030384
0.029759
0.029044
0.028418
0.027882
0.027167
0.026631
0.026005
0.025469
0.024933
0.024397

0.065079
0.064187
0.063492
0.062599
0.061706
0.060813
0.06002
0.059127
0.058333
0.05754
0.056647
0.055853
0.05506
0.054167
0.053373
0.052579
0.051786
0.050992
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