1.

The differences between 3 reactors of Single CSTR, 3-stages CSTR and Tubular (PFR) reactor are included in term of their design,
characteristics and performances for those 3 reactors. Thus, the distinctions of these 3 reactors are:

STAGE CSTR

SINGLE CSTR

PFR

Pysically, CSTR in stage (series) is made

It is differs from the series CSTR, single CSTR is made up

The design of PFR is totally different with CSTR in term of size

up from several CSTR reactors. In this

with only one CSTR. The size and characteristic of this

and operation principle. As the both solution of NaOH and Ethyl

experiment, the saponification reaction

reactor is same with the CSTR in stage. Only the number of

Acetate entering the reactor, the chemical reaction proceeds as the

between the Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

CSTR involve in this reaction is different. At the second

reagents travel through the PFR. In this type of reactor, the

and Ethyl Acetate (Et(Ac)) will go through

run of this experiment, the saponification reaction of NaOH

changing reaction rate creates a gradient with respect to distance

a 3 units of CSTR in series.

and Ethyl Acetate was passed through the reaction in single

traversed. At the inlet to the PFR the rate is very high, but as the

CSTR.

concentrations of the reagents decrease as it spreading through the

reactor. In the Axial PFR, the dispersion refers to the degree of
back mixing and molecular diffusion of fluid elements in the
process stream in the axial direction.

All 3 CSTR in the stage have agitators to

Also, in single CSTR do has mixer to mixing the solution

In the PFR reactor, no mixer is being equipped. Since the

agitate the mixture of NaOH and Ethyl

of NaOH and Ethyl Acetate. However, the reaction of

saponification reaction between NaOH and Ethyl Acetate is in

Acetate. Simply, the solutions of NaOH and

saponification between NaOH and Ethyl Acetate it is not

homogeneous reactions and operated in open system which

Ethyl Acetate are perfectly mixed in all 3

as good in CSTR in stage. This is because the solutions will

allowing the flowing of fluid continuously, the saponification of

CSTR. As the reaction is continuous, the

be in intimated contact 3 times more than in single CSTR.

ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide is to be said well mixed which

solution is continuously mixed.

is completely uniform in concentration.

The design of CSTR is simple. However, it

The design of construction of single CSTR is much easier

Since the design of plug flow reactor is more complicated

becomes harder and complex to maintain

to handle compared to PFR and 3-CSTR in stage. The

compared to other reactors and continuous operation, shutdown

the performance of this CSTR in stage as it

process of start-up, shutdown, maintenance and cleaning is

process and cleaning process of this reactor is more expensive as

is made up of 3 stage of CSTR.

easier.

well as the maintenance of the efficiency of PFR also in high cost.

2. By having experience running saponification reaction of sodium hydroxide and ethyl acetate via single continuous stirred tank reactor,
continuous stirred reactor in stage and plug flow reactor all those 3 reactors has its own significant advantages and disadvantages towards the
reaction results, environment and cost.
SINGLE CONTINUOUS STIRRED TANK REACTOR
The advantages of single continuous stirred tank reactor are:

Since the reactor is continuously stirred by the mixer it reduces the cost of man power.

Continuous flow-tank reactor always retains its optimal efficiency on work for all fluids, liquids, gases, solid and liquid mixture.

As the chemical reactions in a reactor are either exothermic or endothermic and therefore require that energy either be removed or added
to the reactor for a constant temperature to be maintained. Since it is easy to maintain the temperature of reactor, it is to be said CSTR
reactor is good in temperature controlling.

This reactor can be readily adapted well in faster changing in operating conditions for examples, feed rate and its concentration.

In industry, the used of CSTR is applicable for various amount of solution as well as huge amount of mixtures.

In other side, single CSTR also has its own deficiency.

The used of CSTR is to operate a lowest concentration at the exit stream. Although the solution of sodium hydroxide and ethyl acetate
are well mixed by the agitator in the reactor and produce an identical outlet fluid, however it only produce a single and low conversion
reaction as the solution will only passes through one time circulation in the single CSTR reactor. Simply, it is to be said the single CSTR
will produce lowest conversion per unit volume

The efficient of this reactor is reduced if it is applied for fluid with high viscosity as it makes the agitator hardly moved to mix the
solutions.

CONTINUOUS STIRRED TANK REACTOR IN STAGE

The advantages of continuous stirred tank reactor in stage are:

CSTR in series is easy in controlling temperature in each stage since each operates in a stationary state.

The heat transfer surface for this reactor also can be easily provided.

In term of performance of this reactor, when two CSTR are in stage, the first operates at a higher concentration. Since the rate is greater,
therefore the conversion is greater. Then, the second reactor in series builds on the conversion in the first reactor. Thus, higher
conversion percentage is produced. In single CSTR, the solutions will only going through one reactor to produce single conversion. Thus,
the conversion per unit volume of stage CSTR is higher.

Meanwhile, the deficiencies of CSTR in stage are:

The performance of these CSTRs in stage is depending on the efficiency of all those 3 reactors. If one of the reactor was set back may
interrupt the entire of CSTRs.

Maintenances cost need to be consider as it must be calibrated regularly in order to ensure the efficiency of performances of all unit in
stage CSTRs

PLUG FLOW REACTOR

The advantages of plug flow reactor are:

This reactor also has optimal efficiency on work for the usage of heterogeneous reactions.

All fluids, liquids, gases, and slurries can be performed at the optimum level under process of PFR.

Plug flow reactor is a continuous system, the solutions are perfectly mixed. Thus, it reduces the labor cost.

Plug Flow reactor is designed for multiple reactions as well as reactions involving changing temperatures, flowrates, pressures and
densities of the fluids.

Besides, plug flow reactor has high conversion reaction.

In industry, plug flow reactor is suitable for large scale production.

However, the disadvantages for this PFR reactor are:

The system of plug flow reactor is continuously. Thus, as the time goes by, this reactor is cannot sustain the equilibrium of temperature.
Therefore, the will be temperature gradient between the inlet temperature and outlet temperature. In directly, it is to be said PFR is poor
in temperature controlling.

As the temperature is hard to be controlled, it will produce undesired thermal gradient.