Lecture

Microreactors: RTD and Dispersion Models

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In course

ChE-408: Process intensification and green chemistry

The first part of the course (~20%) is devoted to green chemistry and life cycle assessment. The remainder focuses on process intensification (fundamentals, detailed description of a few selected technologies, with a special focus on microreactors). Exa ...

Description

This lecture covers dispersion models in microreactors, focusing on axial and radial dispersion, molecular diffusion effects, and the impact of flow characteristics on residence time distribution. It also discusses examples of RTD broadening and narrowing due to maldistribution and turbulent advection, as well as enhancements by secondary radial flows. The Taylor-Aris correlation and the Taylor-Aris effect are explained in the context of microchannels, along with the use of fixed-bed reactors and static mixers to control RTD. Various examples and case studies are presented to illustrate the concepts discussed.

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Instructor

Harvey Randall

Official source

Related concepts (10)

Plug flow reactor model

The plug flow reactor model (PFR, sometimes called continuous tubular reactor, CTR, or piston flow reactors) is a model used to describe chemical reactions in continuous, flowing systems of cylindrical geometry. The PFR model is used to predict the behavior of chemical reactors of such design, so that key reactor variables, such as the dimensions of the reactor, can be estimated.

Residence time

The residence time of a fluid parcel is the total time that the parcel has spent inside a control volume (e.g.: a chemical reactor, a lake, a human body). The residence time of a set of parcels is quantified in terms of the frequency distribution of the residence time in the set, which is known as residence time distribution (RTD), or in terms of its average, known as mean residence time. Residence time plays an important role in chemistry and especially in environmental science and pharmacology.

Continuous stirred-tank reactor

The continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR), also known as vat- or backmix reactor, mixed flow reactor (MFR), or a continuous-flow stirred-tank reactor (CFSTR), is a common model for a chemical reactor in chemical engineering and environmental engineering. A CSTR often refers to a model used to estimate the key unit operation variables when using a continuous agitated-tank reactor to reach a specified output. The mathematical model works for all fluids: liquids, gases, and slurries.

Laminar flow reactor

A laminar flow reactor (LFR) is a type of chemical reactor that uses laminar flow to control reaction rate, and/or reaction distribution. LFR is generally a long tube with constant diameter that is kept at constant temperature. Reactants are injected at one end and products are collected and monitored at the other. Laminar flow reactors are often used to study an isolated elementary reaction or multi-step reaction mechanism. Laminar flow reactors employ the characteristics of laminar flow to achieve various research purposes.

Green chemistry

Green chemistry, similar to sustainable chemistry or circular chemistry, is an area of chemistry and chemical engineering focused on the design of products and processes that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. While environmental chemistry focuses on the effects of polluting chemicals on nature, green chemistry focuses on the environmental impact of chemistry, including lowering consumption of nonrenewable resources and technological approaches for preventing pollution.

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