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Mole Balance

REACTION ENGINEERING
CKB 20104

1.1 Definition of reaction rate

CHAPTER 1
MOLE BALANCE

1.2 The general mole balance

1.3 Types of reactor in industry

Dr. Kelly Yong Tau Len

Section of Chemical Engineering Technology UniKL MICET
Tel: 06-5512051
Email: kytlen@unikl.edu.my, E-learning: CKB20104 Kelly Yong

Objectives
Upon the completion of this chapter,
students are able to:
Define the rate of chemical reaction
Apply mole balance equation in reactors
systems
Identify the commercial/industries
reactor system

Introduction
When has a chemical reaction taken place?
When a chemical species lost its chemical
identity and a new compound forms
Kind
Chemical
Identity

Number
Configuration

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Introduction

What are the ways a species may lose its chemical

identities?
1. Decomposition

2. Combination

Reaction Rate
3. Isomerization

1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate

Consider this: A

After reaction, molecule A (reactant) will disappear

(reacted) while molecule B (product) will appear
(formed).
The rate at which this occur is called the RATE OF
REACTION (or simply known as REACTION RATE)
and it can be expressed in 2 ways either as:
The rate of DISAPPEARANCE of a reactant
or
The rate of APPEARANCE of a product

1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate

Consider this: A B
The rate of DISAPPEARANCE of reactant A, rA is the
number of moles of A reacting (disappearing) per unit
time per unit volume (mol/dm3.s).
The rate of FORMATION of product B, +rB is the
number of moles of B formed (appearing) per unit time
per unit volume (mol/dm3.s).
However, we usually use rate of DISAPPEARANCE of
reactant A, rA to evaluate rate of reaction.
Both are functions of concentration, temperature,
pressure and types of catalyst (if any).

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1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate

Consider this: A

Rate of reaction can be evaluated in other ways too.

Remember that +r means formation and r means
disappear. For example:
+rA =
The rate of FORMATION of reactant A per unit
time per unit volume
+rB =
The rate of FORMATION of product B per unit
time per unit volume
rA =
The rate of a DISAPPEARANCE of reactant A
per unit time per unit volume
rB =
The rate of DISAPPEARANCE of product B per
unit time per unit volume

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1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate

Consider this: A B
Now take note of the values sign (+ or ):
For reactant A, the rate of disappearance, rAvalue
will be a positive (+) number because A disappear.
However, its rate of formation, +rA, value will be a
negative () number.
Therefore, for product B, the rate of formation, +rB
value will be positive (+) number because they are
being formed.
Hence, its rate of disappearance, rB value will be a
negative () number.

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1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate:

Example 1

1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate:

Solution Example 1

Consider the reaction: A + 2B C

Given the rate of disappearance of A is 5 moles of A
per dm3 per second at the start of the reaction. At the
start of the reaction:
1. What is rA?
2. What is the rate of formation of B?
3. What is the rate of formation of C?
4. What is the rate of disappearance of C?
5. What is the rate of formation of A, rA?
6. What is rB?

1. What is rA?
A + 2B C
Solution: rA is the rate of disappearance of A

rA = 5mol / dm3 .s
2. What is the rate of formation of B?
Solution: For every 1 mol of A that disappears, 2 moles of
B also disappear. Reactant B is being used up therefore
its rate of formation is a negative number.

rB = 10mol / dm 3 .s

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1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate:

Solution Example 1

1.1 Definition of Reaction Rate:

Solution Example 1

3. What is the rate of formation of C? A + 2B C

Solution: C is a product that is being formed as fast as A is
disappearing. Because C is being formed, its rate of
formation is positive.

5. What is the rate of formation of A, rA? A + 2B C

Solution: A is a reactant that is being used up.
Therefore, its rate of formation is a negative number

rA = 5mol / dm3 .s

rC = 5mol / dm3 .s
4. What is the rate of disappearance of C?
Solution: The rate of disappearance of C is rC. Because C
is a product, its rate of disappearance, -rC, is a negative
number

6. What is rB?
Solution: rB is the rate of disappearance of B

rB = 10mol / dm 3 .s

rC = 5mol / dm3 .s

1.2 The General Mole Balance

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Balance on System Volume

A

Moles Balances

IN (FA0)

Rate of flow
of A into the
system
(moles/time)
IN

Generation
GA

Rate of generation
of A by chemical
reaction within system
(moles/time)
GENERATION

OUT (FA)

Rate of flow
of A out of
the system
(moles/time)
OUT

Rate of
accumulation
of A within system
(moles/time)
ACCUMULATION

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1.2 The General Mole Balance

Rate of flow
of A into the
system
(moles/time)

IN
FAO
Basic
Equation for
Chemical
Reaction
Engineering

Rate of generation
of A by chemical
reaction within system
(moles/time)

Rate of flow Rate of accumulation

of A
of A out of
within system
the system
(moles/time)
(moles/time)

GENERATION
V

G A=

r .dV
A

OUT

ACCUMULATION

FA

dN A
dt

FA0 +

r .dV F
A

=
A

dN A
dt

1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Batch Reactors

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Types of Reactor
in Industry

1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Batch Reactors

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Used for small scale operating

Testing new processes
Manufacturing of expensive products
Processes that are difficult to convert to
continuous operations.

Advantages:
High conversions obtained by leaving
reactant in the reactor for long periods of
time
Disadvantages:
High labor costs per batch
Variability of product from batch to batch
Difficulty large scale production

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftnLJ6VDwS8

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1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Batch Reactors

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Key Characteristics
Unsteady-state operation
because there is NO flow
through the system
No spatial variation of
concentration and temperature
(well-mixed)
Mainly used for small scale
operation
Suitable for slow reactions
Mainly (not exclusively) used
for liquid-phase reaction
Has no inflow and no outflow
of reactants or products while
reaction is carried out

1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)

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Commonly used in industrial processing.

Also referred to as backmix reactor.
Used primarily for liquid phase reaction.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/
watchv=sSjn7doP550&list=PL4bHyGq-6VBol0o9LMUC7Z2EntbS-4Iv9

1.3 Types of Reactor In Industry

Continuous Flow Reactors

Continuous
Stirred Tank
Reactor
(CSTR)

Plug Flow
Reactor
(PFR)

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Packed
Bed
Reactor
(PBR)

Continuous
Flow
Reactors

1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)

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Key Characteristics
Steady state operation (flow
through the system), hence no
accumulation
Can be used in series
configurations
No spatial variation of
concentration or temperature (wellmixed)
Mainly used for liquid phase
reaction
Suitable for viscous liquid
Reactants are continuously
introduced into the reactor while
products are continuously
removed.

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1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Plug Flow Reactor (PFR)

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1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Plug Flow Reactor (PFR)

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Commonly used in industrial

processing.
Consists of a cylindrical pipe
Used more often for gas phase reaction

Key Characteristics
Steady-state operation (flow through the system), hence no accumulation
Consists of a cylindrical pipe which reactants and products can flow
through
Spatial variation in axial direction but not in radial direction
Suitable for fast reaction mainly used for gas phase reaction
Temperature control may be difficult
There are no moving parts

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I241zL4vJ7A

1.3 Types Of Reactor In Industry

Packed Bed Reactor (PBR)
FA0

FA

Key Characteristics
Similar to PFR. Can be thought of as PFR packed with solid particles, which
are almost always catalysts.
Steady-state operation
Spatial variation
Mainly used for gas phase catalytic reaction although examples for liquid
phase reaction are also known.
Temperature control may be difficult.
There are no moving parts
Pressure drop across the packed bed is an important consideration

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Thank
you
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