Module 6:

1.0

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

Title of experiment
Effect Of Mean Residence Time On Plug Flow Reaction Process

2.0

Objective
To study the effects of mean residence on conversion factor of saponification reaction of ethyl

acetate and sodium hydroxide in plug flow reactor.

3.0

Introduction
In a PFR, one or more fluid reagents are pumped through a pipe or tube. The chemical reaction

proceeds as the reagents travel through the PFR. In this type of reactor, the changing reaction rate creates
a gradient with respect to distance traversed; at the inlet to the PFR the rate is very high, but as the
concentrations of the reagents decrease and the concentration of the product(s) increases the reaction rate
slows. Some important aspects of the PFR:

All calculations performed with PFRs assume no upstream or downstream mixing, as implied by
the term "plug flow".

Reagents may be introduced into the PFR at locations in the reactor other than the inlet. In this
way, a higher efficiency may be obtained, or the size and cost of the PFR may be reduced.

A PFR typically has a higher efficiency than a CSTR of the same volume. That is, given the same
space-time, a reaction will proceed to a higher percentage completion in a PFR than in a CSTR.

For most chemical reactions, it is impossible for the reaction to proceed to 100% completion. The
rate of reaction decreases as the percent completion increases until the point where the system reaches
dynamic equilibrium (no net reaction, or change in chemical species occurs). The equilibrium point for
most systems is less than 100% complete.

FKKSA/BKF2741/Module/Rev01/2/08/10

Module 6:

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

For this reason a separation process, such as distillation, often follows a chemical reactor in order to
separate any remaining reagents or byproducts from the desired product. These reagents may sometimes
be reused at the beginning of the process, such as in the Haber process.
4.0

Equipment/Apparatus/ Material
1. PFR

2. Beakers

3. Measuring Cylinders

5. Sodium Hydroxide

6. Sodium Acetate

7. Ethyl Acetate

5.0

Experimental Procedure

5.1

Preparation of calibration curve for Conversion vs. Conductivity

4. Stop Watch

1. Prepare 1-L of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution and 1-L of 0.1 M sodium acetate
(Na(Ac)) solution.
2. Determine the conductivity for each conversion values by mixing the following solutions into
100 mL of deionised water.
i.

100 mL NaOH for 0% conversion

ii.

75 mL NaOH + 25 mL Na(Ac) for 25% conversion

iii.

50 mL NaOH + 50 mL Na(Ac) for 50% conversion

iv.

25 mL NaOH + 75 mL Na(Ac) for 75 % conversion

v.

100 mL Na(Ac) for 100% conversion

5.2

Experimental Procedure
1. Prepare 10 Liter 0.1 M of ethyl-acetate and 10 Liter 0.1 M of sodium hydroxide.
2. Put the reactants into the reactant tank.
3. Switch on the main switch and water pump. Set the required temperature of the water that will
be same as the reactor and reactant temperature (set 35C).
4. Switch on the two dosing pump (dosing pump 1 and dosing pump 2) and set the flow rate (2
l/hr). Start the stop watch.

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FKKSA/BKF2741/Module/Rev01/2/08/10

Module 6:

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

5. When the product is coming out from the reactor, start monitoring the conductivity values for
the product stream. Record down the reading every two minutes until they do not change over
time. Stop the stop watch and record the time.
6. Repeat the experiment for various flow rates by setting the dosage pump (4 and 6 l/hr).

5.3

Shutdown
1. After complete the experiment, drain off any liquids from the reactor and make sure that the
reactor and tubings are cleaned properly.
2. Dispose all liquids immediately after each experiment. Do not leave any solution or waste in the
tanks over a long period of time.
3. Wipe off any spillage from the unit immediately.

5.4

Additional Information
Reactor data:

1) Tubular Diameter = 4 mm
2) Tubular Length = 13 m

Molar mass of ethyl-acetate = 88.11g/mol

Molar mass of sodium hydroxide = 40 g/mol
Molar mass of sodium acetate = 136.08 g/mol
Density of ethyl-acetate =0.895 g/ml
6.0

Discussion

Plot the calibration curve of conversion vs. conductivity and discuss relationship between these
parameters.
1. Plot a graph of conductivity / conversion vs. time for each flowrate. Discuss a plotted graph and
make a comparison in term of conversion for each flowrate.
2. Suggest other parameters that can also be used to monitor the reaction and give your
justification
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FKKSA/BKF2741/Module/Rev01/2/08/10

Module 6:

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

3. Give 3 advantages of Tubular Reactor.

4. What are the differences between Tubular Reactor and Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors?
5. How do you know that the reaction has reached the steady state?

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FKKSA/BKF2741/Module/Rev01/2/08/10