Summary

The continuous stirred tank reactor is often used in processing unit in chemical and polymer
industry. It is a reactor in which the contents are well stirred and uniform throughout. The CSTR
normally runs at steady condition, and usually works to be quite well mixed. The purpose of this
experiment is to conduct mass balance and energy balance in Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor
(CSTR). In this experiment, Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) has been used to conduct a
chemical process. Water was added to the vessel before adding Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH and Ethyl
Acetate, Et (Ac) with the same volume. Water cooling valve was opened and the cooling water was
let to flow through the condenser. The temperature then was set to 40℃ and valve 2 and valve 7 were
opened and pumps P1 and P2 were switched on. Then, the stirrer was switched on and valves V5 and
V10 was adjusted to 200 mL/min. The timer, conductivity and flow rates were recorded every 5
minutes. Then, this experiment was repeated by changing the flow rate to 300mL/min, and others
remained the same. After the results were obtained, the graphs were plotted and calculation was made.
From this result, it can be concluded that when the concentration of NaOH increase, the conductivity
of the fluid increase.

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 Data and Results

RATE FLOW = 200 ML/MIN

Flow Total Flow

Rate Flow Rate Rate Of M CONVERSION
Time Temp. CONDUCTVITY
Of Of Et(Ac) Solution fo NaOH ,X (%)
NaOH (ML/MIN)
0 34.7 198 203 401 10.01 0.0429 0.0000
5 35.1 201 204 405 9.9 0.0421 1.8600
10 35.4 194 198 392 9.3 0.0379 11.6550
15 35.8 201 195 396 8.77 0.0341 20.5130
20 36 201 196 397 8.37 0.0312 27.2730
25 36.2 200 197 397 8.02 0.0287 33.1000
30 36.3 205 198 403 7.73 0.0266 37.9950
35 36.5 203 185 388 7.48 0.0249 41.9580
40 36.5 213 196 409 7.29 0.0235 45.2210

RATE FLOW = 300 ML/MIN

Flow Total Flow
Rate flow Rate Rate Of M CONVERSION
Time Temp. CONDUCTVITY
Of Of Et(Ac) Solution fo NaOH ,X (%)
NaOH (ML/MIN)
0 34.6 326 316 642 6.41 0.0172 0.0000
5 34.5 321 310 631 6.39 0.0171 0.5813
10 34.7 312 314 626 6.27 0.0162 5.8140
15 34.9 319 312 631 6.21 0.0158 8.1390
20 35.1 326 315 641 6.19 0.0156 9.3020
25 35.3 309 312 621 6.17 0.0155 9.8830
30 35.4 313 320 633 6.12 0.0151 12.2090
35 35.5 323 320 643 6.11 0.0151 12.2090
40 35.5 304 315 619 6.1 0.0150 12.7910

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Analysis and discussion

Concentration Conductivity(Ms/cm)
Of NaOH (M)
0.05 10.7

0.0375 9.7

0.025 7.5

0.0125 5.6

0 4

Table1: Concentration and Conductivity

Conductivity vs Concentration of NaOH

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y = 140x + 4
10
Conductivity (mS/cm)

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Concentration of NaOH (M)

Figure 1: Conductivity vs Concentrtion of NaOH

From the graph in appendix A, we know that the graph is conductivity directly proportional to the
Concentration NaOH. As the concentration of NaOH increase, the conductivity of our fluid increase.
Given the equation from the graph is y=140x + 4.

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RATE FLOW = 200 ML/MIN

CONDUCTVITY M NaOH
10.01 0.043
9.9 0.042
9.3 0.038
8.77 0.034
8.37 0.031
8.02 0.029
7.73 0.027
7.48 0.025
7.29 0.024

0.050
CONDUCTIVITY VS CONCENTRATION
0.040
CONDUCTIVITY

0.030

0.020

0.010

0.000
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
CONCENTRATION OF NaOH

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RATE FLOW = 300 ML/MIN

CONDUCTVITY M NaOH
6.41 0.0172
6.39 0.0171
6.27 0.0162
6.21 0.0158
6.19 0.0156
6.17 0.0155
6.12 0.0151
6.11 0.0151
6.1 0.0150

CONDUCTIVITY VS CONCENTRATION
0.0175
0.0170
CONCENTRATION

0.0165
0.0160
0.0155
0.0150
0.0145
6.05 6.1 6.15 6.2 6.25 6.3 6.35 6.4 6.45
CONDUCTIVITY

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RATE FLOW = 200 ml/min

Time(min) CONVERSION ,X (%)

0 0.00
5 1.86
10 11.66
15 20.51
20 27.27
25 33.10
30 38.00
35 41.96
40 45.22

CONVERSION ,X (%) VS TIME

60.00

50.00
CONVERSION ,X (%)

40.00

30.00

20.00

10.00

0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50
-10.00
TIME (MIN)

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RATE FLOW = 300ml/min

Time CONVERSION, X (%)

0 0.00
5 0.58
10 5.81
15 8.14
20 9.30
25 9.88
30 12.21
35 12.21
40 12.79

CONVERSION ,X (%) vs TIME

16.00
14.00
CONVERSION, X (%)

12.00
10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
TIME (MIN)

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FLOW RATE = 200ML/MIN
Ethyl Acetate, Et(Ac) (0.1 M)= 1L

Mass (Et(Ac))=100g

Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH

V(H2O)= 29L
(0.1 M) = 1L
m (total)= 30000kg
V (H2O)= 29L
B1: NaOH B2: Et(Ac)

m(total)= 30000kg

200 mL/min 200 mL/min

B3: B1+B2

Assumed that the density of both liquid is equal to the density of water,

𝝆𝑵𝒂𝑶𝑯 = 𝝆𝑬𝒕(𝑨𝒄) = 𝝆𝑯𝟐𝑶 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈/𝒎𝟑

Convert volume flow rate into mass flow rate,

200 𝑥 10−3 𝐿 1 𝑚3 𝑘𝑔 200𝑘𝑔
ṁ =Qxρ = 𝑥 𝑥 1000 3 =
𝑚𝑖𝑛 1000 𝐿 𝑚 𝑚𝑖𝑛

Mass flow rate enter B3:

400kg
ṁ3 = ṁ1 + ṁ2 = 200 + 200 =
min

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FLOW RATE = 3000 ML/MIN

Ethyl Acetate, Et(Ac) (0.1

Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH
M)= 1L
(0.1 M) = 1L
B1: NaOH B2: Et(Ac)
Mass (Et(Ac))=100 g
V (H2O)= 29L

V (H2O)= 29L
mass(total)= 30000kg
300 mL/min 300 mL/min
mass(total)= 30000kg

B3: B1+B2

Assumed that the density of both liquid is equal to the density of water,

𝝆𝑵𝒂𝑶𝑯 = 𝝆𝑬𝒕(𝑨𝒄) = 𝝆𝑯𝟐𝑶 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈/𝒎𝟑

Convert volume flow rate into mass flow rate,

300 𝑥 10−3 𝐿 1 𝑚3 𝑘𝑔 300𝑘𝑔
ṁ =Qxρ = 𝑥 𝑥 1000 3 =
𝑚𝑖𝑛 1000 𝐿 𝑚 𝑚𝑖𝑛

Mass flow rate enter B3:

600kg
ṁ3 = ṁ1 + ṁ2 = 300 + 300 = min

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Conclusion

The objective of this experiment is to study about the mass balance and energy balance in

CSTR. Process classifications are divided into three different sections, which are, batch process,

continuous process and semi-batch process. CSTR is under the continuous process section. This

means the inputs and outputs continuously flows throughout the duration of the process. For an

instance, when a mixture of liquids was pumped into a distillation column at a constant rate, product

stream from the top and bottom of the column was stably withdrawn. In this experiment, a mixture of

sodium hydroxide (vessel B1) solution and ethyl acetate (vessel B2) were pumped into stirred tank

(R1).

The general balance equation can be written as

𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 − 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 − 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

However, the accumulation for the continuous process is equal to zero thus, it can be written as

𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

This experiment was conducted to determine the mass balance of the process. The input = output

whereas input = ṁ3, output = ṁ1 + ṁ2. Thus, ṁ3 = ṁ1 + ṁ2.

700kg
ṁ3 = ṁ1 + ṁ2 = 350 + 350 = min

Before charging sodium hydroxide solution into feed vessel, it has to be well stirred manually

by using glass rod. This step has to be taken in order to prevent the outlet of the vessel being clogged

due to the accumulation of partially dissolved sodium hydroxide powder. If this happens, it will block

the flow of the sodium hydroxide solution, which then will lead into damaging the pump. Lastly, the

flowrates reading for both vessels B1 and B2 were not uniform, this will make the calculation slightly

differ from the actual result and expectation.

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Recommendation

This experiment can be improved by cleaning the apparatus thoroughly by using deionized

water. It helps on avoiding contamination or defect during the process. Second, we have to make sure

all of the valves are in needed condition, whether they are closed or open, based on the procedures.

Third, check that there is no leaking from the reactor so that the experiment can be carried smoothly.

This can avoid the machine and the individual that uses it from being harmed. Last, control the valves

carefully and slowly when adjusting the flow rate. This helps in making sure that the readings of flow

rate are stable, hence, the experiment can run easily.

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Tutorial

1.

ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE
-cheap and easy to build -lowest conversion per unit volume
-easy regulation for temperature for each -by-passing and channelling are possible
stage with poor agitation
-low-cost maintenance and easy to clean

2. In this paper the design of a nonlinear feedback controller was analysed for concentration

control of continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) which have strong nonlinearities. Continuous

Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) is one of the common reactors in chemical process and all industrial

process requires a solution of specific chemical strength of chemicals considered for analysis. Here

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm based PID controller tuning is attempted for the

concentration control of Continuous Stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Based on the Performance indexes

and criterion controller can be estimated. The Integral Square Error (ISE) criterion is used to guide

PSO algorithm to search the controller parameters like Kp, Ki, Kd. A comprehensive simulation is

carried out with PID and I-PD controller Structures. The simulation results show that the PSO based

PID controller tuning approach provides better performance compared to other conventional PID

tuning methods.

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References

Stenstrom, M. K. (2003). Fundamentals of Chemical Reactor Theory. Los Angeles: Civil and
environmental Engineering Department.

Fogler, H. (2010). Continuous-Flow Reactors. In Essentials of Chemical Reaction Engineering: Mole

Balances (p. 4). Prentice Hall.

Zarif, M. (2010). Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor. Retrieved on 22 February 2018 from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/181148523/CONTINUOUS-STIRRED-TANK-REACTOR-LAB-
REPORT#scribd

Agalya, A and Nagaraj, B (2013). Certain Investigation on Concentration Control of CSTR -- A

Comparative Approach. Retrieved on 18th February 2018 from International Journal of Advances in Soft
Computing & Its Applications; Jul2013, Vol. 5 Issue 2, p1-14, 14p.

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