Kinetics of Multiple Reactions
Introduction to Multiple Reactions
INTRODUCTION
Simple reaction
i. the kinetics is represented by a single rate or stoichiometric equation
ii. performance (size) of a reactor was influenced by the pattern of flow within the vessel
Multiple reaction
i. the kinetics is represented by more than one rate or stoichiometric equations
ii. both performance of reactor and product distribution are affected by the pattern of flow
within the vessel.
Product distribution is not uniquely determined by a single equation
It depends on:
relative rates of two or more simultaneous reactions
the reactor type
Product distribution and reaction network are features of multiple/complex reaction
Conversion, Selectivity and Yield
Conversion: is the ratio of the amount of A reacted to the amount A introduced into the
reactor. It is a measure of consumption of the reactant
It doesn’t tell you how much of it is towards either desired or undesired product
With multiple reactions, either selectivity or yield must be used (no conversion!)
There are two types of selectivity and yield: Instantaneous and Overall.
Instantaneous Overall
rD ~ F
Selectivity SDU SDU D
rU FU
rD ~ FD
Yield YD YD
rA FA0 FA
Instantaneous - at a point in the reactor
Overall- through entire points in the reactor
Extent of Reaction
Types of Multiple Reaction
Parallel reactions
(competitive reactions)
Series reactions (consecutive reactions)
Complex reactions (series-parallel)
Independent reactions
Cracking of crude oil to form gasoline.
7.1 Parallel Reactions
Cont..
7.1.1Control Product Distribution for a single reactant
We can control product distribution by varying k1/k2.
This can be done in two ways:
1. By changing the temperature level of operation. Most effective method
2. By using a catalyst.
A catalyst can depress or accelerate the selectivity towards specific reactions by increasing
or decreasing activation energy
Generally,
For reactions in parallel, the concentration level of reactants is the key factor to proper
control of products distribution
A high reactant concentration favors the reaction of higher order
A low reactant concentration level favors the reaction of lower order
The concentration level has no effect on the product distribution for reactions of the
same order.
To keep CA low throughout To keep CA high
the reactor:- throughout the reactor:-
By using a batch or plug flow
By using a mixed flow reactor
reactor
Maintaining high conversions
Maintaining low conversions.
Increasing inert in the feed
Removing inert from the feed.
Decreasing the pressure in gas-
Increasing the pressure in gas
phase systems.
phase systems.
Use diluents for liquid phase
Run without diluents in liquid
reaction
phase reaction
7.1.2 Control Product Distribution for two Reactants
Cont..
Cont..
Combinations of high and low reactant concentrations can be maintained by
Using the correct contacting pattern of reacting fluids
Selecting a rector type
The use of the proper contacting pattern is the critical factor in obtaining a favorable
distribution of products
Contacting patterns for various combinations of high and low concentration of reactants
in continuous flow operations:
According to the rule for reactions in parallel, we want to keep CA high, CB low, and
since the concentration dependency of B is more pronounced than of A, it is more
important to have low CB than high CA.
7.2 Series Reactions
For easy visualization consider that the reactions proceed only in the presence of light,
The rate equations are:-
7.2.1 Control product distribution
Time
For series reactions, the most important variable is time: space-time for a flow reactor and
real-time(reaction time) for a batch reactor.
If the first reaction is slow and the second reaction is fast, it will be extremely difficult to
produce species R.
If the first reaction (formation of R) is fast and the reaction to form S is slow, a large
yield and selectivity of R can be achieved.
If the reaction is allowed to proceed for a long time in a batch reactor, or if the tubular
flow reactor is too long, the desired product R will be converted in to S.
Cont..
Cont.
Cont..
ii. First-order followed by zero-order reaction
a. Derive concentrations all species as a function of time for batch reactor?
b. Derive concentrations all species as a function of space-time for PFR and MFR?
c. Find the optimum time and space time for both a and b ?
d. Find the maximum concentrations for both a and b? See Levenspiel page 178
iii. Zero-order followed by first-order reaction
a. Derive concentrations all species as a function of time for batch reactor?
b. Derive concentrations all species as a function of space-time for PFR and MFR?
c. Find the optimum time and space time for both a and b ?
d. Find the maximum concentrations for both a and b? See Levenspiel page 179
Read Levenspiel chater 7(parallel) and 8(seires), Fogler chapter 6(both)
See examples 6.1 and 6.2 for parallel reaction, Fogler textbook
See example 6.3 for series reaction, Fogler textbook
See examples 7.1 and 7.2 for parallel reaction, Levensipel textbook
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