Ideal reactors Batch

Characteristics Time variant conditions. Discontinuous production. Downtime for cleaning and filling. Flexibility.

Advantages Usually better for small-volume production. More flexible for multi-product (multipurpose) operation. Capital cost usually relatively low. Easy to shut down and clean for fouling service. Equipment simple; suitable for small production because of multi-product flexibility Operating cost relatively cheap. Simplicity to construct. Easy in controlling temperature in each stage since each operates in a stationary state. The heat transfer surface can be easily provided. Readily adapted for automatic control in general that allowing fast response to changes in operating conditions for examples, feed rate and its concentration. Relatively easy to clean and maintain as it is a simple reactor. Efficient stirring and viscosity that is not too high that good to be used. Process control and obtaining uniformity of product easier because of steady-state operation. Steady-state operation allows easy coupling with continuous down-stream operation.

Disadvantages Inherent down-time between batches. Unsteady-state operation means process control and obtaining uniformity of product is more difficult. Coupling with continuous down-stream processing requires buffering tanks. Downtime for loading and cleaning; reaction conditions change with time Flexibility usually low. Capital cost usually relatively high. Shut down for cleaning very demanding and costly. Requires flow control. Longevity of catalyst necessary. Stability of organisms required.

CSTR

The mixed flow reactor (MFR). Used to estimate the key unit operation variables when using a continuous agitated-tank reactor to reach a specified output. Works for all fluids, liquids, gases, and slurries which is mixture between solid and liquid. The feed is assumes as a uniform composition throughout the reactor. Exit stream has the same composition as in the tank.

Better for indefinitely long production runs of one product or set of products. Provides high production; better product quality due to constant conditions; good for kinetic studies Continuous operation. High conversion rate per unit volume. Less (labor) cost for operation. Good heat transfer Poor temperatures control and can result in undesirable temperature gradients. High maintenance cost (shutdown and cleaning).

PFR