Intermediate Concentration for First Order Reaction for Mixed Flow Reactor Calculator

Intermediate Concentration Formula:

\[ C_R = \frac{C_{A0} \cdot k_1 \cdot \tau_m}{(1 + (k_1 \cdot \tau_m)) \cdot (1 + (k_2 \cdot \tau_m))} \]

Initial Reactant Concentration (CA0):

mol/m³

Rate Constant First Step (k1):

1/s

Rate Constant Second Step (k2):

1/s

Space Time (τm):

Intermediate Concentration (CR):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Intermediate Concentration for Series Reaction?

Definition: This calculator determines the concentration of intermediate product (CR) in a two-step first-order irreversible reaction series in a mixed flow reactor.

Purpose: It helps chemical engineers design and analyze reactors for consecutive reactions where an intermediate product is formed.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ C_R = \frac{C_{A0} \cdot k_1 \cdot \tau_m}{(1 + (k_1 \cdot \tau_m)) \cdot (1 + (k_2 \cdot \tau_m))} \]

Where:

\( C_R \) — Intermediate concentration (mol/m³)
\( C_{A0} \) — Initial reactant concentration (mol/m³)
\( k_1 \) — Rate constant for first step (1/s)
\( k_2 \) — Rate constant for second step (1/s)
\( \tau_m \) — Space time for mixed flow reactor (s)

Explanation: The formula accounts for both reaction steps and the residence time in the mixed flow reactor.

3. Importance of Intermediate Concentration Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of intermediate concentration is crucial for optimizing reactor design, maximizing desired product yield, and minimizing unwanted byproducts.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all required parameters with positive values. The calculator will compute the intermediate concentration (CR) in mol/m³.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is space time in a mixed flow reactor?
A: Space time (τm) is the time required to process one reactor volume of feed under specified conditions.

Q2: How do rate constants k1 and k2 affect the result?
A: Higher k1 increases intermediate formation, while higher k2 decreases it by converting the intermediate to final product faster.

Q3: What if I get negative or zero values?
A: All input values must be positive. The calculator validates this before computation.

Q4: Can this be used for batch reactors?
A: No, this formula is specifically for mixed flow (CSTR) reactors. Batch reactors have different kinetics.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's theoretically exact for ideal mixed flow reactors with first-order irreversible consecutive reactions.