Question
A continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) is being used for the catalytic conversion of ethanol to ethylene oxide. The reaction is carried out using a homogeneous
A continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) is being used for the catalytic conversion of ethanol to ethylene oxide. The reaction is carried out using a homogeneous catalyst that follows first-order kinetics. The rate constant of the reaction is 0.04 min^-1 at 300degC. The reactor is fed with a solution containing 20 mol/L of ethanol at a flow rate of 5 L/min. The reactor volume is 50 L, and the reactor is operated at a constant temperature of 300degC. Assume that the reactor is perfectly mixed and that the catalyst is completely active. Determine the following: a) The outlet concentration of ethanol and the conversion of ethanol at steady state. b) The outlet concentration of ethylene oxide at steady state. c) The volume of a plug flow reactor (PFR) that would give the same conversion of ethanol as the CSTR.
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