UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

REACTION ENGINEERING LABORATORY
(CHE506)
NAME : 1. AZIDORA BINTI AZMAN (2016250174)
2. ZULIANEY BINTI ZAINI (2017632218)
3. MOHAMAD NORAFIQ BIN ZULKEPLI
(2017632138)
4. NURUL NAJIHA BINTI SURANI (2017632166)
5. MUHAMMAD QASRI BIN NOOR AZIZUL
(2017632162)
6. NUR SHAHIRAH BINTI ZAMRI (2017631874)
GROUP : EH2205I
EXPERIMENT : L4 – TUBULAR FLOW REACTOR
DATE PERFORMED : 1/10/2018
SEMESTER : 5
PROGRAMME / CODE : CHEMICAL ENGINEERING / EH220
SUBMIT TO : DR FARID MULANA

No. Title Allocated Marks (%) Marks

1 Abstract/Summary 5
2 Introduction 10
3 Aims 5
4 Theory 10
5 Apparatus 5
6 Methodology/Procedure 10
7 Results 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Discussion 20
10 Conclusion 5
11 Recommendations 5
12 Reference / Appendix 5
TOTAL MARKS 100

Remarks:
Checked by:
---------------------------
Date:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................3

2.0 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................4

3.0 AIM ..................................................................................................................5

4.0 THEORY .........................................................................................................6

5.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS ...............................................................8

6.0 PROCEDURES ...............................................................................................9

7.0 RESULTS ......................................................................................................11

8.0 CALCULATIONS ........................................................................................22

9.0 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................23

10.0 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................25

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................26

12.0 REFERENCES .............................................................................................27

13.0 APPENDICES ...............................................................................................28

2
1.0 ABSTRACT
Plug flow reactor or tubular flow reactor is a vessel which fluid flow continuous and
operates in a steady state condition. The flow of fluid in the system also can be considered as
highly turbulent. PFR are usually used for a large scale production, slow reaction and continuous
reaction. Besides that, PFR is also the choice to undergo high temperature reaction, high
volumetric unit conversion and run for long period of time. This experiment has their objectives
which were to examine the effect of pulse input (experiment 1) and to construct a residence time
distribution (RTD) function for tubular flow reactor and step change input in a tubular reactor
(experiment 2). This experiment need to calibrate the conductivity measurements of conversion
values for the reaction between 0.1 M ethyl acetate and 0.1 M sodium hydroxide by following the
respective percentage conversion. Based on the graph for experiment 1, we can see that the pattern
turns constant at time 0 minute until 2.5 minutes and the reading start to drop at time 3 minutes.
This is because the pulse input where the tracer is only detected during the earlier of the process.
After that, the graph from experiment 2 shows that outlet conductivity increase when the time
increase. But at the time of 5 minutes, the outlet conductivity decrease. Graph increase and
decrease due to the tracer injected into the feed stream. These two experiment needs to plot graph
E (t) against time to obtain the RTD value by area under the curve. From the results, the step
change input is better than pulse input in variance because of the higher variance which is means
step change input helps the tracer to spread more than pulse input. Pulse input is much faster than
step change input due to the higher mean time. The experiment is successful.

3
2.0 INTRODUCTION
In chemical industrial process, the most important equipment is reactor. Reactor is an
equipment that use for reaction occur. In other words, reactor is a place where the reaction of
chemical substance take place or happen. There are several type of chemical reaction reactor which
are batch reactor, continuous stirrer tank reactor (CSTR) and also plug flow reactor (PFR).

The mode of operation of reactors may be batch flow or continuous flow depends on the
process itself. In a batch flow reactor, the reactor is charge with reactant, the contents are well
mixed and the left to react and the mixture will discharge. In this experiment, plug flow reactor
which is PFR was used. Plug flow reactor or also known as Tubular Flow Reactor (TBR) which is
a vessel through which flow is continuous and usually it operate in steady state condition
𝑑𝑁𝑎
(Accumulation = = 0. The flow of fluid in the system also can be considered as highly
𝑑𝑇
turbulent.

PFR are usually used for a large scale production, slow reaction and continuous reaction.
Besides that, PFR also the choice to undergo high temperature reaction. PFR also have a high
volumetric unit conversion and can run for long period of time. In this experiment, the hypothesis
that was made is conductivity decrease as conversion increase as the residence time increase.

4
3.0 AIM
This experiment generally was conducted to learn on how to operate the tubular flow
reactor. In addition, in the first experiment (experiment 1) was to examine the effect of a pulse
input in a tubular flow reactor besides, to construct a residence time distribution (RTD) function.
Meanwhile, in experiment 2 the aims were to examine the effect of a step change input in a tubular
flow reactor by applicable procedures. Moreover, it helps to construct a residence time distribution
(RTD) function for this tubular flow reactor as well.

For preparation of calibration curve for conversion and conductivity, this experiment
actually to calibrate the conductivity measurements of conversion values for the reaction between
0.1 M ethyl acetate and 0.1 M sodium hydroxide by following the respective percentage
conversion.

5
4.0 THEORY
Plug flow or tubular reactor consists of a hollow pipe or tube through which reactants flow
continuously and usually steady state. In this reactor, the conversion of the products and other
dependent variables are functioned on the position within the reactor rather than of time. Figure
(1) shows a pipe through which fluid flows without dispersion and maintains a constant velocity
profile although the actual geometry for the reactor is quite complicated (Schmidt, 1998)

Figure 1: The plug-flow tubular reactor, the length of reactor is L, the inlet molar flow rate of species j is Fo and outlet is
Fj.

Flow in tubular reactor can be either laminar or turbulent flow. Nevertheless, turbulent
flow is more preferentially to laminar flow because mixing and heat transfer are improved.
However, for slow reactions or in small laboratory reactors, using turbulent flow will cause in
inconveniently long reactors or otherwise process required unacceptable high feed rates. Based on
Visual Encyclopedia Chemical Engineering (Visual Encyclopedia of Chemical Engineering), Plug
flow reactors may be constructed as one long tube or a number of shorter tubes. They have
diameters in range of few centimeters and up to several meters. The choice of diameters is
considered based on construction cost, pumping cost, the desired residence time and heat transfer
needs. Usually, long small diameter tubes are used with high reaction rates and larger diameter
tubes are used with slow reaction rates.

The residence-time of an element is said as the length of time spent by the element in the
reactor. Therefore, in tubular reactor, the residence-time is the same for all elements of the effluent
fluid (Denbigh K.G). Using the result of the experiment, the equation (1) below are applied to
determine n and k. The 𝜀 from the equation will be obtained by the stoichiometric.

6
 𝑛
𝑉𝑟 𝑃 1 𝑅𝑇 𝑛−1 𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡 1 + 𝜀𝑥
𝜏= ( )= ( ) ∫ ( ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑚𝑓 𝑅𝑇 𝑘 𝑃 0 1−𝑥

Equation 1

Where,

𝑚𝑓 = 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒

𝜏 = 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Based on the experiment result, a curve of 𝜏 against 𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡 can be drawn. The slope
according with first equation will be;

𝑑𝜏 1 𝑅𝑇 𝑛−1 1 + 𝜀𝑥 𝑛
= ( ) ( )
𝑑𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑘 𝑃 1−𝑥

Equation 2

Taking the logarithm of both sides, obtained;

𝑑𝜏 1 𝑅𝑇 𝑛−1 1 + 𝜀𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑙𝑛 = 𝑙𝑛 [ . ( ) ] + 𝑛 𝑙𝑛
𝑑𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑘 𝑃 1 − 𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡

Equation 3

Concisely, n and k can be obtained from the interception and slope of the appropriate log-log plot.
The equation 1 will only use when the experiment is isothermal reactor. Meanwhile, if the
experiment used non isothermal reactor, the equation will be changed as;

𝑉𝑟 𝑃 1 𝑅 𝑛−1 𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑇 𝑛 1 + 𝜀𝑥 𝑛
𝜏= ( )= ( ) ∫ ( ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑚𝑓 𝑅𝑇𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑛 𝑃 0 𝑘 1−𝑥

Equation 4

Where 𝑇𝑖𝑛 is the temperature of the feed into the reactor.

The most common observed profiles were obtained with exothermic reaction in outside cooled
reactors. The reason behind why elementary design method is erroneous. This is when transverse
gradients are applicable rises from extreme sensitivity of reaction rate to changes of temperature.

7
5.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
Apparatus

1. Beaker
2. Measuring cylinder
3. Eutech Cond 6+ Conductivity Meter with Electrode
4. SOLTEC Tubular Flow Reactor (Model: BP101-B)

a) b)

Figure 2: a) Conductivity Meter, b) Tubular Flow Reactor BP101-B

Materials

1. 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution

2. 0.1 M ethyl acetate solution
3. De-ionized water (distilled water)

8
6.0 PROCEDURES
Experiment 1: Pulse Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor.

1. General start-up procedures were carried out.

2. Valve V9 was opened and pump P1 was switch on.
3. Flow controller for pump P1 was being adjusted to give a constant flow rate approximately
at 700 mL/min for de-ionized water into the reactor R1 at FI-01.
4. The de-ionized water was allowed to continued flowing through the reactor until the inlet,
QI-01 and outlet, QI-02 conductivity values were stable at low levels. Both conductivity
values were recorded.
5. Valve V9 was close and pump P1 was switched off. Then, valve V11 was opened and pump
P2 was switched on.
6. Flow controller for pump P2 is being adjusted to give a constant flow rate approximately
at 700 mL/min for salt solution into the reactor R1 at FI-02.
7. The salt solution was let to flow for 1 minute. This will start the time at the average pulse
input.
8. Valve V11 and pump P2 were closed and switch off. Then, valve V9 and pump P1 were
immediately being opened and switched on.
9. The de-ionized water flow rate must be ensured to be maintained at 700 mL/min by
adjusting flow controller for pump P1.
10. The conductivity values of both inlet and outlet were started to be recorded at regular
intervals of 30 seconds.
11. The recording was continued until all the readings of conductivity values were almost
constant and approached low level values.

Experiment 2: Step Change Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor.

1. General start-up procedures were carried out.

2. Valve V9 was opened and pump P1 was switch on.
3. Flow controller for pump P1 was being adjusted to give a constant flow rate approximately
at 700 mL/min for de-ionized water into the reactor R1 at FI-01.

9
 4. The de-ionized water was allowed to continued flowing through the reactor until the inlet,
QI-01 and outlet, QI-02 conductivity values were stable at low levels. Both conductivity
values were recorded.
5. Valve V9 was close and pump P1 was switched off. Then, valve V11 was opened and
pump P2 was switched on. The timer was started simultaneously.
6. The conductivity values of both inlet and outlet were started to be recorded at regular
intervals of 30 seconds.
7. The recording was continued until all the readings of conductivity values were almost
constant.

Calibration Curve for Conversion Vs. Conductivity.

1. The following solutions were prepared:

a. 1 liter of sodium hydroxide, NaOH (0.1 M)
b. 1 liter of ethyl acetate, Et(Ac) (0.1 M)
c. 1 liter of de-ionized water
2. By mixing the following solutions with 100 mL of de-ionized water, the conductivity and
NaOH concentration were determined. The solutions were:
a. 0% conversion: 100 mL NaOH
b. 25% conversion: 75 mL NaOH + 25 mL Et(Ac)
c. 50% conversion: 50 mL NaOH + 50 mL Et(Ac)
d. 75% conversion: 25 mL NaOH + 75 mL Et(Ac)
e. 100% conversion: 100 mL Et(Ac)
3. The reading of conductivity values were recorded.

10
7.0 RESULTS
Experiment 1: Pulse input in Tubular Flow Reactor

Flow rate: 0.2 mL/min

Input type: Pulse input

Conductivity (mS/cm)
Time (min)
Inlet Outlet
0.0 0.5 0.4
0.5 0.2 0.4
1.0 0.0 0.4
1.5 0.0 0.4
2.0 0.0 0.4
2.5 0.0 0.4
3.0 0.0 0.2
3.5 0.0 0.0
4.0 0.0 0.0
4.5 0.0 0.0
5.0 0.0 0.0

11
To calculate the area under the graph 1,

∞
∫𝟎 𝑪 (𝒕)𝒅𝒕 = Area under the graph

𝒇(𝐭𝟏)+ 𝒇(𝒕𝟐)
Area = (t1 – t2) [ ]
𝟐

For time (0.0-0.5) minutes,

𝑓(t1)+ 𝑓(𝑡2) 0.4+0.4

Area = (t1 – t2) [ ] = (0.5 – 0.0) [ ] = 0.2 g.min / m3
2 2

For time (0.5-1.0) minutes,

𝑓(t1)+ 𝑓(𝑡2) 0.4+0.4

Area = (t1 – t2) [ ] = (1.0 – 0.5) [ ] = 0.2 g.min / m3
2 2

For time (1.0 – 1.5) minutes,

𝑓(t1)+ 𝑓(𝑡2) 0.4+0.4

Area = (t1 – t2) [ ] = (1.5 – 1.0) [ ] = 0.2 g.min / m3
2 2

For time (1.5-2.0) minutes,

𝑓(t1)+ 𝑓(𝑡2) 0.4+0.4

Area = (t1 – t2) [ ] = (2.0 – 1.5) [ ] = 0.2 g.min / m3
2 2

For time (2.0-2.5) minutes,

𝑓(t1)+ 𝑓(𝑡2) 0.4+0.4

Area = (t1 – t2) [ ] = (2.5 – 2.0) [ ] = 0.2 g.min / m3
2 2

For time (2.5-3.0) minutes,

𝑓(t1)+ 𝑓(𝑡2) 0.2+0.4

Area = (t1 – t2) [ ] = (3.0 – 2.5) [ ] = 0.15 g.min / m3
2 2

4
So total area for ∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = ( 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.15 ) = 1.15 g.min/m3

12
To calculate E(t),

𝑪 (𝒕)
E (t) = ∞
∫𝟎 𝑪 (𝒕)𝒅𝒕

For t=0.0, C(t) = 0.4

E(t) = 0.4/1.15 = 0.34783

For t=0.5, C(t) = 0.4

E(t) = 0.4/1.15 = 0.34783

For t=1.0, C(t) = 0.4

E(t) = 0.4/1.15 = 0.34783

For t=1.5, C(t) = 0.4

E(t) = 0.4/1.15 = 0.34783

For t=2.0, C(t) = 0.4

E(t) = 0.4/1.15 = 0.34783

For t=2.5, C(t) = 0.4

E(t) = 0.4/1.15 = 0.34783

For t=3.0, C(t) = 0.2

E(t) = 0.2/1.15 = 0.17391

For t=3.5, C(t) = 0.0

E(t) = 0.0/1.15 = 0

For t=4.0, C(t) = 0.0

E(t) = 0.0/1.15 = 0

13
For t=4.5, C(t) = 0.0

E(t) = 0.0/1.15 = 0

For t=5.0, C(t) = 0.0

E(t) = 0.0/1.15 = 0

Time (min) Conductivity Outlet E(t)

0.0 0.4 0.34783
0.5 0.4 0.34783
1.0 0.4 0.34783
1.5 0.4 0.34783
2.0 0.4 0.34783
2.5 0.4 0.34783
3.0 0.2 0.17391
3.5 0.0 0.00000
4.0 0.0 0.00000
4.5 0.0 0.00000
5.0 0.0 0.00000

14
Residence time distribution (RTD) function for tubular flow reactor

To calculate the area under the graph 2,

For time (0.0 – 0.5),

𝐸 (𝑡1+𝑡2) 0.34783+ 0.34783

Area = (t2 – t1) [ ] = (0.5 – 0.0) [ ] = 0.17392
2 2

For time (0.5 – 1.0),

𝐸 (𝑡1+𝑡2) 0.34783+ 0.34783

Area = (t2 – t1) [ ] = (1.0 – 0.5) [ ] = 0.17392
2 2

For time (1.0 – 1.5),

𝐸 (𝑡1+𝑡2) 0.34783+ 0.34783

Area = (t2 – t1) [ ] = (1.5 – 1.0) [ ] = 0.17392
2 2

For time (1.5 – 2.0),

𝐸 (𝑡1+𝑡2) 0.34783+ 0.34783

Area = (t2 – t1) [ ] = (2.0 – 1.5) [ ] = 0.17392
2 2

15
For time (2.0 – 2.5),

𝐸 (𝑡1+𝑡2) 0.34783+ 0.34783

Area = (t2 – t1) [ ] = (2.5 – 2.0) [ ] = 0.17392
2 2

For time (2.5 – 3.0),

𝐸 (𝑡1+𝑡2) 0.34783+ 0.17391

Area = (t2 – t1) [ ] = (3.0 – 2.5) [ ] = 0.13044
2 2

For time (3.0 – 3.5),

𝐸 (𝑡1+𝑡2) 0.17391+ 0.00000

Area = (t2 – t1) [ ] = (3.5 – 3.0) [ ] = 0.04348
2 2

Thus,

∞
∫0 𝐸(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = total area under the graph

= 0.17392 + 0.17392 + 0.17392 + 0.17392 + 0.17392 + 0.13044 + 0.04348

= 1.04352

∞
Residence time, tm = ∫0 𝑡𝐸(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = 5(1.04352) = 5.2176

16
 Outlet
Time (t –tm)2 E(t)
Conductivity E(t) tE(t) (t –tm)3 E(t) dt
(min) dt
(mS/cm)
0.0 0.4 0.34783 0.00000 9.46910 -49.40596

0.5 0.4 0.34783 0.17392 7.74122 -36.51997

1.0 0.4 0.34783 0.34783 6.18725 -26.09535

1.5 0.4 0.34783 0.52175 4.80720 -17.87125

2.0 0.4 0.34783 0.69566 3.60107 -11.58679

2.5 0.4 0.34783 0.86958 2.56885 -6.98110

3.0 0.2 0.17391 0.52173 0.85525 -1.89660

3.5 0.0 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000

4.0 0.0 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000

4.5 0.0 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000

5.0 0.0 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000

∑ = 2.66197 ∑ = 4.33371 ∑ = 35.22994 ∑ = -150.35702

∞
Mean residence time, tm = ∫0 𝑡𝐸(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = 4.33371

∞
Second moment, variance, 𝜎2 = ∫0 (𝑡 − 𝑡𝑚 )2 E(t) dt

= 35.22994

1 ∞
Third moment, skewness, s3 = 𝜎3/2 ∫0 (𝑡 − 𝑡𝑚 )3 E(t) dt

1
= 3 x (-150.35702)
(5.93548)2

= -10.39776

17
Experiment 2: Step Change Input in a Tubular Flow Reactor

Flow rate = 0.2 mL/min

Input type = Step change

Conductivity (mS/cm)
Time (min)
Inlet Outlet
0.0 0.7 0.0
0.5 1.9 0.0
1.0 2.0 0.0
1.5 2.0 0.0
2.0 2.0 0.1
2.5 2.1 0.1
3.0 2.1 0.2
3.5 2.1 0.2
4.0 2.1 0.2
4.5 2.1 0.2
5.0 2.1 0.3
5.5 2.1 0.2
6.0 2.1 0.2

18
 Conductivity
C(t) E(t) tm 𝝈2 s3
Time (mS/cm)
(t-tm)2 * (t-tm)3 *
(min) Ci∆t / t*E(t)/
Inlet Outlet Ci∆t E(t)/ E(t)/
∑ 𝑪𝒊 (∆𝒕) ∑ 𝑪𝒊 (∆𝒕)
∑ 𝑪𝒊 (∆𝒕) ∑ 𝑪𝒊 (∆𝒕)
0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

0.5 1.9 0.0 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

1.0 2.0 0.0 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

1.5 2.0 0.0 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000

2.0 2.0 0.1 0.2000 0.0276 0.0076 0.0151 0.0301

2.5 2.1 0.1 0.2500 0.0345 0.0119 0.0295 0.0733

3.0 2.1 0.2 0.6000 0.0828 0.0343 0.1004 0.2979

3.5 2.1 0.2 0.7000 0.0966 0.0466 0.1589 0.3721

4.0 2.1 0.2 0.8000 0.1103 0.0609 0.2361 0.9299

4.5 2.1 0.2 0.9000 0.1241 0.0770 0.3349 1.4811

5.0 2.1 0.3 1.5000 0.2069 0.1427 0.6733 3.2704

5.5 2.1 0.2 1.1000 0.1517 0.1151 0.6067 3.2672

6.0 2.1 0.2 1.2000 0.1655 0.1370 0.7847 4.6001

∑ =7.25 ∑ =1 ∑ =0.6331 ∑ =2.9396 ∑ =14.3221

19
Data for preparation of calibration curve

Solution Mixtures Concentration Conductivity

Conversion
0.1 M NaOH 0.1 M Et(Ac) H2 O of NaOH (M) (mS/cm)

0% 100 mL - 100 mL 0.0500 13.5000

25% 75 mL 25 mL 100 mL 0.0375 10.0400

50% 50 mL 50 mL 100 mL 0.0250 5.8900

75% 25 mL 75 mL 100 mL 0.0125 2.3700

100% - 100 mL 100 mL 0.0000 0.0700

20
21
8.0 CALCULATIONS
∞
∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = ∑ 𝐶𝑖 (∆𝑡) = Area

So based on the table, area is 7.25 m2

Example of calculation at t = 2.0 min

𝑡 𝑥 𝐸(𝑡)
tm = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

2.0 𝑥 0.0276
tm = 7.25

tm = 0.0076

(𝑡− 𝑡𝑚 )2 𝐸(𝑡)
𝜎2 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

(2.0− 0.0076)2 𝑥 0.0276

𝜎2 = 7.25

𝜎2 = 0.0151

(𝑡− 𝑡𝑚 )3 𝐸(𝑡)
s3 =
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

(2.0− 0.0076)3 𝑥 0.0276

s3 = 7.25

s3 = 0.0301

22
9.0 DISCUSSION
In this experiment, the main objectives are to examine the effect of pulse input and step
change input in a tubular reactor and to construct a residence time distribution (RTD) function for
tubular flow reactor. The conductivity readings at the outlet and inlet were taken when the
experiment was running under flowrate of 0.2 mL/min. Pulse input is when the tracer was injected
into the feed stream in one shot entering the reactor in a short time while for step change input is
when the tracer is fed into the feed stream in constant rate.

From the first graph plotted, which is between outlet conductivity against time for pulse
input, the pattern is initially constant at high value which is at 4 mS/cm. However, after 3 minutes,
the value drops reaching the value of 3 mS/cm and finally, the conductivity reached constantly at
0 mS/cm from 3 minutes and half until fifth minutes. This is due to the pulse input where the tracer
is only detected during the earlier of the process. So, the reading of conductivity can only be read
during the earlier of the experiment. Nevertheless, the result for the 0th minute should be 0 mS/cm
but in this experiment, the result is rapidly reached 4 mS/cm which may due to the late recording.

As for the residence time distribution, from the graph conductivity against time area under
∞
the graph was calculated by using numerical method to get the value of ∫0 C (t)dt which equal to
1.15 g.min/m3. From the result, value of E(t) was calculated and plotted in a graph of E(t) against
time. Then, form the graph, area under the graph is calculated to obtained the residence time
distribution (RTD) value. Therefore, from the results and calculations, the value of RTD obtained
from pulse input is 5.2176, the mean residence time is 4.33371 and the variance is 35.22994.

On the other hand, for the step change input, graph of outlet conductivity against time
plotted depicts the line is increasing. Initially, the conductivity is 0 mS/cm. then, after 2 minutes,
the conductivity increased to 2 mS/cm and keep increasing to 0.3 mS/cm at the fifth minutes but
the value starts to decrease after 5 minutes and a half back to 0.2 mS/cm. The pattern of the graph
is increasing and decreasing due to the tracer injected into the feed stream. The step change tracer
was injected in a constant rate. Therefore, the reading is followed by the steps of the tracer.

From the results, the comparison between pulse input and step change input can be
determine by the mean time that shows when the wave of tracer passes and by the variance that

23
shows how much tracer has spread out during the measurement time. Therefore, based on the
results and calculations, the step change input is better that pulse input in variance aspect due to
the higher variance which means step change input help the tracer to spread more than pulse input.
On the other hand, pulse input is much faster than step change input due to the higher mean time.
As for the error that might occur in the experiment, the data and results can be affected due to the
opening of valve and pump. Valve V11 should be opened simultaneously with pump P2.
However, the simultaneously opening might be a bit difficult and affected the result. Other
than that, the data taken is not consistently recorded as the stopwatch cannot be stop at accurate
time which also may affect the result and data taken.

24
10.0 CONCLUSION
As conclusion, this experiment has achieved their objectives which were to examine the
effect of pulse input (experiment 1) and to construct a residence time distribution (RTD) function
for tubular flow reactor and step change input in a tubular reactor (experiment 2). From graph
outlet conductivity against time, we can see that the pattern turn constant at time 0 minute until 2.5
minutes and the reading start to drop at time 3 minutes. This is because the pulse input where the
tracer is only detected during the earlier of the process. Then, the second graph from experiment
1 is E (t) against time. Function of this graph is to calculate area under the curve to obtain the value
of RTD.

For the experiment 2, the first graph shows that outlet conductivity increase when the time
increase. But at time 5 minutes, the outlet conductivity decrease. Graph increase and decrease due
to the tracer injected into the feed stream. And this experiment also needs to plot the graph E (t)
against time to obtain RTD. We also undergo the calibration curve. This experiment actually to
calibrate the conductivity measurements of conversion values for the reaction between 0.1M ethyl
acetate and 0.1M sodium hydroxide by following the respective percentage conversion.

From the results, the step change input is better that pulse input in variance aspect due to
the higher variance which means step change input help the tracer to spread more than pulse input.
Last but not least, pulse input is much faster than step change input due to the higher mean time.

25
11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to make sure that the data collected is accurate, the experiment needs to be done
repeatedly for at least three times per experiment. This is to ensure that the data taken is not fall
far from the data theory. Then, the average value taken is used for the calculation involves in the
experiment. Besides, the values should be taken in approximately 4 decimals place so that the data
will be more precise and accurate.
The apparatus that need to be use during calibration process are also need to be check
before it starts. The apparatus like beaker, measuring cylinder and conical flask need to be clean
properly by others user before. It is to avoid contaminate in the apparatus during the calibration
occur. This will affect the others group results and this bad habit need to be remove from any
students that enter the laboratory.
During the calibration process, the calibration rod that used need to be clean by using
deionized water before use for another sample. This is to avoid error result from the calibration
meter.

26
12.0 REFERENCES
1. Denbigh K.G. (n.d.). Chemical Reactor Theory: An Introduction.
2. Schmidt, L. D. (1998). The Engineering of Chemical Reactions. Oxford University Press.
3. (n.d.). Visual Encyclopedia of Chemical Engineering. Michigan: University of Michigan.

27
13.0 APPENDICES

28