Page 248 - Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering 3rd Edition

220 Isothermal Reactor Design Chap. 4

P4C-3 In the article describing vapor phase esterification of acetic acid with ethanol
to form ethyl acetate and water [Znd. Eng. Chem. Res., 26(2), 198 (1987)], the
pressure drop in the reactor was accounted for in a most unusual manner [i.e.,
P = Po(l - fx), where f is a constant].
(a) Using the Ergun equation along with estimating some of the parameter
values (e.g., Q, = 0.4), calculate the value of CY in the packed-bed reactor
(2 cm ID by 67 cm long).
(b) Using the value of CY, redo part (a) accounting for pressure drop along
the lines described in this chapter.
(c) Finally, if possible, estimate the value off used in these equations.

SOME THOUGHTS ON CRITIQUING
WHAT YOU READ

Your textbooks after your graduation will be, in part, the professional journals
that you read. As you read the journals, it is important that you study them
with a critical eye. You need to learn if the author’s conclusion is supported by
the data, if the article is new or novel, if it advances our understanding, and to
learn if the analysis is current. To develop this technique, one of the major
assignments used in the graduate course in chemical reaction engineering at
the University of Michigan for the past 20 years has been an in-depth analysis
and critique of a journal article related to the course material. Significant effort
is made to ensure that a cursory or superficial review is not carried out. Stu-
dents are asked to analyze and critique ideas rather than ask questions such as:
Was the pressure measured accurately? They have been told that they are! not
required to find an error or inconsistency in the article to receive a good grade,
but if they do find such things, it just makes the assignment that much more
enjoyable. Beginning with Chapter 4, a number of the problems at the end of
each chapter in this book are based on students’ analyses and critiques of jour-
nal articles and are designated with a C (e.g., P4C-1). These problems involve
the analysis of journal articles that may have minor or major inconsistencies.
A discussion on critiquing journal articles can be found on the CD-ROM.

CD - ROM MATERIAL

0 Learning Resources
I. Summary Notes for Lectures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
2. Web Modules
A. Wetlands
B. Membrane Reactors
C. Reactive Distillation
D. Aerosol Reactors
3. Interactive Computer Modules
A. Mystery Theater
B. Tic-Tac
4. Solved Problems
A. CDP4-AB A Sinister Gentleman Messing with a Batch Reactor