Page 39 - Introduction to chemical reaction engineering and kinetics

1.7 Plan of Treatment in Following Chapters 21
1.7 PLAN OF TREATMENT IN FOLLOWING CHAPTERS

1.7.1 Organization of Topics
This book is divided into two main parts, one part dealing with reactions and chemical
kinetics (Chapters 2 to lo), and the other dealing with reactors and chemical reaction
engineering (Chapters 2 and 11 to 24). Each chapter is provided with problems for
further study, and answers to selected problems are given at the end of the book.
Although the focus in the first part is on kinetics, certain ideal reactor models are
introduced early, in Chapter 2, to illustrate establishing balance equations and inter-
pretations of rate (Ye), and as a prelude to describing experimental methods used in
measuring rate of reaction, the subject of Chapter 3. The development of rate laws for
single-phase simple systems from experimental data is considered in Chapter 4, with
respect to both concentration and temperature effects. The development of rate laws
is extended to single-phase complex systems in Chapter 5, with emphasis on reaction
networks in the form of kinetics schemes, involving opposing, parallel, and series re-
actions. Chapters 6 and 7 provide a fundamental basis for rate-law development and
understanding for both simple and complex systems. Chapter 8 is devoted to cataly-
sis of various types, and includes the kinetics of reaction in porous catalyst particles.
A treatment of noncatalytic multiphase kinetics is given in Chapter 9; here, models for
gas-solid (reactant) and gas-liquid systems are described. Chapter 10 deals with enzyme
kinetics in biochemical reactions.
The second part of the book, on chemical reaction engineering (CRE), also begins
in Chapter 2 with the first introduction of ideal reactor models, and then continues in
Chapter 11 with further discussion of the nature of CRE and additional examples of var-
ious types of reactors, their modes of operation, and types of flow (ideal and nonideal).
Chapter 12 develops design aspects of batch reactors, including optimal and semibatch
operation. In Chapter 13, we return to the topic of ideal flow, and introduce the char-
acterization of flow by age-distribution functions, including residence-time distribution
(RTD) functions, developing the exact results for several types of ideal flow. Chap-
ters 14 to 16 develop the performance (design) equations for three types of reactors
based on ideal flow. In Chapter 17, performance characteristics of batch reactors and
ideal-flow reactors are compared; various configurations and combinations of flow reac-
tors are explored. In Chapter 18, the performance of ideal reactor models is developed
for complex kinetics systems in which the very important matter of product distribution
needs to be taken into account. Chapter 19 deals with the characterization of nonideal
flow by RTD measurements and the use of flow models, quite apart from reactor con-
siderations; an introduction to mixing behavior is also given. In Chapter 20, nonideal
flow models are used to assess the effects of nonideal flow on reactor performance for
single-phase systems. Chapters 21 to 24 provide an introduction to reactors for multi-
phase systems: fixed-bed catalytic reactors (Chapter 21); reactors for gas-solid (noncat-
alytic) reactions (Chapter 22); fluidized-bed reactors (Chapter 23); and bubble-column
and stirred-tank reactors for gas-liquid reactions (Chapter 24).

1.7.2 Use of Computer Software for Problem Solving

The solution of problems in chemical reactor design and kinetics often requires the use
of computer software. In chemical kinetics, a typical objective is to determine kinet-
ics rate parameters from a set of experimental data. In such a case, software capable
of parameter estimation by regression analysis is extremely useful. In chemical reactor
design, or in the analysis of reactor performance, solution of sets of algebraic or dif-
ferential equations may be required. In some cases, these equations can be solved an-