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Definition: This calculator determines the initial concentration of reactant needed to achieve a specific conversion in a second-order reaction within a plug flow reactor (PFR).
Purpose: It helps chemical engineers design reactors and predict reactant requirements for second-order reactions.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Details: Accurate initial concentration calculations are crucial for reactor sizing, process optimization, and cost estimation in chemical manufacturing.
Tips: Enter the space time, rate constant, fractional volume change, and desired conversion. All values must be positive, and conversion must be between 0 and 1.
Q1: What is space time in a PFR?
A: Space time is the time required to process one reactor volume of feed at entrance conditions.
Q2: How is the rate constant determined?
A: The rate constant is typically determined experimentally from kinetic studies of the reaction.
Q3: What does fractional volume change represent?
A: It accounts for volume changes due to reaction (expansion or contraction), calculated as (final volume - initial volume)/initial volume.
Q4: Why is this specific to second-order reactions?
A: The reaction rate depends on the square of concentration in second-order reactions, requiring a different calculation approach than first-order reactions.
Q5: What if there's no volume change (ε=0)?
A: The equation simplifies significantly when ε=0, as several terms become zero.