Reaction in a PFR, with pressure drop - liquid phase

Consider the design of PFR, with liquid phase reaction. Note: Liquid phase reaction implies that
pressure changes do not affect the concentrations and hence the reactions.
A liquid reaction A+B C+D will be conducted isothermally in an ideal PFR. Given that
mol
lit
. The reaction is 2nd order with rate constant of k 0.025
. The
CA0 CB 0 0.4
lit
mol s
lit
kg
volumetric flow rate Q 5 . Density 1000 3 . Fluid viscosity 103 Pa s . Assume
s
m
that the fluid properties (especially viscosity) do not change. The conversion desired is 0.1.
Determine the pressure drop if the PFR is to be constructed from a tube of (i) 2 cm diameter or
(ii) 5 cm diameter.
We can use the following formula to estimate the friction factor : f f

6.9
12.96 log10

Re

2
dP 32 f f Q
The pressure drop is given by

dZ
2 D5

Solution:
Since the reaction is in liquid phase, we can solve for the volume of the reactor without
considering the pressure drop equation.

FAin
0.1

dx
2
rA kCA2 kCA2in 1 x
dV
V

dx

1 x

kC A2 in

dV
FAin
0

0.1

1
V
0.111
500
1 x 0

V 55.5 lit
If the diameter is 2 cm, pipe area = A 3.14104 m2 L = 176.8 m
Now, we will determine the pressure drop.
To find the pressure drop

4Q
=3.1105.

D
Corresponding friction factor = 0.003565 (Reading from chart, it is about 0.0034)
Re

DV

Pressure drop = P

32 f f Q2 L

2 D5

= 154 to 160 atm!

(ii)
Instead, if we use 5 cm tube, the volume of the reactor remains the same, but the diameter
increases and the length will decrease. In addition, the pressure drop per unit length will also
decrease.
4Q
= 1.27105

D
Corresponding ff =4.2810-3
Re

DV

Thus Reynolds number and the friction factor decrease.

dP
= -1110 Pa/m
dz
Length of pipe = 28.294 m
P = 0.314 atm (31.4 kPa)

Obviously the 5 cm pipe is a better choice.