Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.

1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

Q 1: Consider a stirred tank reactor with one inlet stream (with C i, F) and one outlet
stream (with Co, F). The reaction occurring is A → B and it proceeds at a rate r=k.Co
Where r = moles A reacting/volume.time
k = reaction velocity constant
Co(t) = concentration of A in reactor, moles/volume
V = volume of mixture in reactor
Further let F = constant feed rate, volume/time
Ci(t) = concentration of A in feed stream
Assuming constant density and constant V, derive a mathematical model describe the
concentration in the reactor.
Solution
dCo
V  FCi  V kCo  FCo
dt
Q 2: A completely enclosed stirred-tank heating process is used to heat an incoming
stream whose flow rate varies. The heating rate from this coil and the volume are
both constant. Develop a mathematical model (differential and algebraic equations)
that describes the exit temperature if heat losses to the ambient occur and if heat
losses at the ambient occur and if the ambient temperature (Ta) and the incoming
stream’s temperature (Ti) both can vary.
Solution
dT
V c p  F  c pTi  Qcoil  Qloss  F  c pT
dt
Qloss  hamb A( T  Ta )

Q 3: Consider the well-stirred non-isothermal reactor shown in Figure 1 below. Write

down the mathematical equations that describe the dynamic behavior of the
fundamental quantities of the process. Consider an exothermic liquid-phase second
order reaction rate in the form of A  B is taking place. The density is assumed to be
constant, develop the necessary equations describing the process dynamic behavior.

F1, CA1

h1 F3, CA3

Figure 1
Solution
Assumptions
Constant cross sectional area A

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

Constant recycling rate F2

mass balance
dV
 F1  F3
dt
dh
A  F1  F3
dt
Component mass balance
dVC A3
 F1C A1  V kC A3  F3C A3
dt
dV dC A3
C A3 V  F1C A1  V kC A3  F3C A3
dt dt
dC A3
V  F1C A1  V kC A3  F3C A3  C A3 ( F1  F3 )
dt
dC A3
V  F1( C A1  C A3 )  V kC A3
dt
Heat Balance
dVT3
c p  F1  c pT1  V kC A3 hr  F3  c pT3
dt
dT dV
 c pV 3   c pT3  F1  c pT1  V kC A3 hr  F3  c pT3
dt dt
dT
 c pV 3  F1 c pT1  V kC A3 hr  F3  c pT3   c pT3 ( F1  F3 )
dt
dT
 c pV 3  F1  c p( T1  T3 )  V kC A3 hr
dt
k

Q 4: The reactions A B C are taken place in batch reactor. Assume that all steps
k2
1


k
 
k 2
1

are first-order reactions and write the set of linear ordinary differential equations that
describe the kinetics of these reactions.
Solution
dC A
V   k1C A  k  1C B
dt
dCB
V  k1C A  k  1CB  k 2CB  k  2CC
dt
dCC
V  k 2CB  k  2CC
dt

Q 5: Consider the three storage tanks in series shown by Figure 2.

1. Write the mathematical model that describes the dynamic behavior of the
process. Assume the density of the fluid constant.
2. Identify the states of the process and the degrees of freedom.

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

F0 F1 Fr F2

h1 h2 h3 F3

Figure 2
Solution
a) Mathematical Model
dh1
A1  Fo F1
dt
dh
A2 2  F1  Fr F2
dt
dh
A3 3  F2 F3
dt
b) degrees of freedom
Constants: A1, A2, A3
Externally forced: Fo, F1, Fr, F2
Variables: h1, h2, h3, F3
Variables: 3
DOF=4-1
F3   h3

Q 6: Consider the three cooling storage tanks in series shown in Figure 3.

Ff , Tf

F0, T0 F1, T1 F3, T3

h1 h2 h3 F4, T4

wc1, Tc1 wc2, Tc2 wc3, Tc3

Figure 3

1. Assuming constant fluid properties, write the mathematical model for the
process. Identify the states and the degrees of freedom.
2. Assume now the following non-isothermal reversible first-order liquid-phase
reaction: A  B is taking place in the three above CSTR in series. Assuming

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

all CSTRs are adiabatic, write down the unsteady state model for the process if
the holdups is kept constant in all reactors.
Solution
1)Mathematical Model
Mass balance
dh1
A1  Fo F1
dt
dh
A2 2  F1  F f F2
dt
dh
A3 3  F3 F4
dt
Heat Balance (First Tank)
dV1T1
c p  Fo  c pTo F1  c pT1  Q1
dt
dV dT
 c pT1 1   c pV1 1  Fo  c pTo F1  c pT1  Q1
dt dt
dT
 c pV1 1  Fo  c pTo F1 c pT1  Q1   c pT ( Fo  F1 )
dt
dT
 c pV1 1  Fo  c p ( To  T1 )  Q1
dt
Heat Balance (Second Tank)
dV2T3
c p  F1  c pT1  F f  c pT f F3  c pT3  Q2
dt
dT dV
 c pV2 3   c pT3 2  F1 c pT1  F f  c pT f F3  c pT3  Q2
dt dt

dT3
 c pV2  F1  c pT1  F f  c pT f F3  c pT3  Q2   c pT3 ( F1  F f F3 )
dt
dT
 c pV2 3  F1  c p ( T1  T2 )  F f  c p ( T f  T2 )  Q2
dt
Heat Balance (Third Tank)
dV3T4
c p  F3  c pT3 F4  c pT4  Q3
dt
dV dV
 c pT4 3   c pT4 3  F3  c pT3 F4  c pT4  Q3
dt dt
dT
 c pV3 4  F3  c pT3 F4  c pT4  Q3   c pT4 ( F3  F4 )
dt
dT
 c pV3 4  F3  c p ( T3  T4 )  Q3
dt

Q1  wc 1  c p ( T1  Tc 1 )
Q1  wc 2  c p ( T3  Tc 2 )
Q1  wc 3  c p ( T4  Tc 3 )

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

2)Mathematical Model
Component mass Balance A (First Tank)
dC A1
V1  FoC Ao F1C A1  V1k1C A1  V1k  1C B 1
dt
Heat Balance (Second Tank)
dC A3
V2  F1C A1  F f C Af F3C A3  V2 k1C A3  V2 k  1CB 3
dt
Heat Balance (Third Tank)
dC A4
V3  F3C A3 F4C A4  V3k1C A4  V3 k  1CB 4
dt
Component mass Balance B (First Tank)
dC B 1
V1  FoC Bo F1C B 1  V1k1C A1  V1k  1C B 1
dt
Component mass Balance B (Second Tank)
dCB 3
V2  F1CB 1  F f C Bf F3C B 3  V2 k1C A3  V2 k  1CB 3
dt
Component mass Balance B (Third Tank)
dCB 4
V3  F3C B 3 F4C B 4  V3k1C A4  V3 k  1C B 4
dt

Heat Balance (First Tank)

dT1
 c pV1  Fo  c pTo F1  c pT1  Q1  hrV ( k1C A1  k  1C B 1 )
dt
Heat Balance (Second Tank)
dT2
 c pV2  F1  c pT1  F f  c pT f F3  c pT3  Q 2  hrV2 ( k1C A 2  k  1CB 2 )
dt
Heat Balance (Third Tank)
dT4
 c pV3  F3  c pT3 F4  c pT4  Q3  hrV3 ( k1C A3  k  1CB 3 )
dt

dT3
 c pV2  F1  c p ( T1  T2 )  F f  c p ( T f  T2 )  Q2
dt
Heat Balance (Third Tank)
dV3T4
c p  F3  c pT3 F4  c pT4  Q3
dt
dV dV
 c pT4 3   c pT4 3  F3  c pT3 F4  c pT4  Q3
dt dt
dT
 c pV3 4  F3  c pT3 F4  c pT4  Q3   c pT4 ( F3  F4 )
dt
dT
 c pV3 4  F3  c p ( T3  T4 )  Q3
dt

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

Q1  wc 1  c p ( T1  Tc 1 )
Q1  wc 2  c p ( T3  Tc 2 )
Q1  wc 3  c p ( T4  Tc 3 )

Q 7: Consider a thermometer bulb with pocket is immersed in hot fluid of

temperature T1 as shown in Figure 4 below. The pocket temperature is T2 (assumed
uniform through the thickness) and that for the bulb is T3. Write the model equation
that describes how T2 and T3 vary with time.

T2
T1
T3

Figure 4

Solution
Heat balance on the bulb pocket
dT2
 g c pgVg  hout Aout ( T3  T2 )  hin Ain ( T2  T1 )
dt
dT
 b c pbVb 1   hin Ain ( T2  T1 )
dt
Q 8: Consider a two CSTRs in series with an intermediate mixer introducing a second
feed as shown in Figure 5. A first order irreversible exothermic reaction: A  B is
carrier out in the process. Water at ambient temperature (Tc1i and Tc2i) is used to cool
the reactors. The densities and heat capacities are assumed to be constant and
independent of temperature and concentration. Develop the necessary equations
describing the process dynamic behavior. Note that the mixer has negligible
dynamics and that the inlet feed to CSTR2 has the same temperature as that of the
outlet of CSTR1.

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

Q1, C1f, T1f

QC1, TC1 Q3, C3, T3

QC1, TC1i

Q2, C2, T2

Mixer
QC2, TC2
CSTR 1

QC2, TC2i

Q4, C4, T4
CSTR 2
Figure 5

Q 9: Consider the single-effect steam evaporator shown in Figure 6. A salty water

(brine) with mass fraction Cb0 and mass flow rate B0 is fed to the evaporator where it
is heated with saturated steam with mass flow rate W. The concentrated product
comes out of the evaporator with mass flow rate B1 and mass fraction Cb1 while the
vapor is withdrawn from the top with mass flow rate V. Develop the dynamic model
that describe the process behavior. Assume the heat supplied by the steam is mainly
equal to the heat used for vaporizing the brine.

Vapor

Steam

Condensate
Feed

Concentrated
liquid
Figure 6

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

Q 10: Consider the process shown in Figure 7. A stream of pure component A is

mixed with another stream of a mixture of component A and B in an adiabatic well
stirred mixing tank. The effluent is fed into an adiabatic CSTR where the following
reaction takes place: A + B  C. Assume the process is isothermal. Develop the
dynamic model for the process and determine the degrees of freedom assuming
constant fluid properties.

Q1, CA1 Q2, CA2

Q3, CA3

Q4, CA4

Figure 7

Q 11: Consider the following irreversible first-order liquid-phase reaction:

A 
k1
B 
k2
C
where k1 and k2 are the reaction rate constants in sec-1.
1. Write down the unsteady state model for the process if the reaction takes place
in an isothermal well-mixed CSTR.
2. Write down the unsteady state model for the process if the reaction takes place
in a non-isothermal well-stirred batch reactor, where the heat needed for the
endothermic reaction is supplied through electrical coil.
3. Repeat part 2 but assuming that the reactor is cooled by cold fluid flowing in a
jacket and that the reactor wall has high resistance to heat transfer.

Q 12: A perfectly mixed non-isothermal adiabatic reactor carries out a simple first-
order exothermic reaction, A  B in the liquid phase. The product from the reactor is
cooled from the output temperature T to Tc and then introduced to a separation unit
where the un-reacted A is separated from the product B. The feed to the separation
unit is split into two equal parts top product and bottom product. The bottom product
from the separation unit contains 95% of the un-reacted A in the effluent of the
reactor and 1% of B in the same stream. The bottom product which is at Temperature
Tc (since the separation unit is isothermal) is recycled and mixed with the fresh feed
of the reactor and the mixed stream is heated to temperature Tf before being
introduced to the reactor. Write the steady state mass and energy balances for the

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

whole process assuming constant physical properties and heat of reaction. Discuss
also the degree of freedom of the resulting model. The process is depicted in figure 8
V= 0.5 F
CSTR

F, Tf
C A , CB , T c
Separator
F

Fo, To ,CAo
L = 0.5 F

Figure 8

Q 13: Consider a biological reactor with recycle usually used for wastewater
treatment as depicted in figure 9 below. Substrate and biomass are fed to the reactor
with concentrations Sf and Xf. The effluent form the well-mixed reactor is settled in a
clarifier and a portion of the concentrated sludge is returned to the reactor with flow
rate Qr and Xr. If the reaction of substrate in the clarifier is negligible, the recycle
stream would contain the same substrate concentration as the effluent from the
reactor. Sludge is withdrawn directly from the reactor with a fraction W. Assuming
constant holdup develop the dynamic model for the process. Assume the rate of
disappearance of S is given by: r = mS/(K + S) and the rate of generation of X by r/Y
where Y is constant.

W
X
S

Q-W
Q Reactor
Settler Xt
Xf V
S
Sf X
S

Qr , X r , S

Figure 9

Q 14: Consider the two phase reactor and a condenser with recycle. Gaseous A and
liquid B enters the reactor at flow rates FA and FB respectively. Gas A diffuses into the
liquid phase where it reacts with B producing C. The latter diffuses into the vapor

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

phase where B is nonvolatile. The vapor phase is fed to the condenser where the un-
reacted A is cooled and the condensate is recycled back to the reactor. The product C
is withdrawn with the vapor leaving the condenser. For the given information develop
the dynamic model for the process shown in Figure 10. Consider all flows are in
moles.
F1v, yA1, yc1
T2

P2
T 1, P 1 NA

FA, TA NA

F2L,xA2
NC
FB, TB
Q1
A + B = 2C

F1L, xA1, xB1, T1

Figure 10

Q 15: Develop the mathematical model for the triple-effect evaporator system shown
in figure 11 below. Assume boiling point elevations are negligible and that the effect
of composition on liquid enthalpy is neglected.
V1=F-L1 V2=L1-L2 V3=L2-L3
Vapor Vapor Vapor

F (feed)

Vo

Vo V1 V2

L1 L2 L3
Thick Liquor Thick Liquor Thick Liquor

Figure 11

Q 16: Liquid vaporizer as depicted in Figure 12 below is one of the important

processing units in a chemical plant. A liquid feed, enters the vaporizer at specific
flow rate F0 density 0 and temperature T0. Inside the vessel, the liquid is vaporized
by continuous heating using hot oil. The mass rate of vaporization is wn. The formed

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Univ. of Tech. Sheet No.1 Mathematical
Modeling
Chem. Eng. Dep. M. Sc. Chem. Eng.

vapor is withdrawn continuously from the top of the vessel. We would like to develop
a mathematical model to describe the process. Unlike the adiabatic flash operation,
the temperature and pressure in the two phases are different. Correspondingly, the
volume of the two phases varies with time.
Fv

Pv , Vv ,v

wv
Fo , To ,o
PL, VL,L

Figure 12

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