1. What is Reaction Rate in a Reactor?

Definition: The reaction rate or rate of reaction is the speed at which a chemical reaction takes place, measured as the change in moles per unit volume per unit time.

Purpose: This calculator helps chemical engineers and researchers determine the rate of chemical reactions in reactors, which is crucial for process design and optimization.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( r \) — Reaction rate (mol/m³·s)
• \( \Delta n \) — Change in number of moles (mol)
• \( V_{reactor} \) — Reactor volume (m³)
• \( \Delta t \) — Time interval (s)

Explanation: The change in moles of reactants or products is divided by the product of reactor volume and time interval to get the reaction rate.

3. Importance of Reaction Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate reaction rate determination is essential for reactor sizing, process optimization, safety analysis, and scaling up chemical processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the change in moles (positive for products, negative for reactants), reactor volume in cubic meters, and time interval in seconds. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for the inputs?
A: Use moles for change in moles, cubic meters for reactor volume, and seconds for time interval.

Q2: How do I determine the change in moles?
A: Measure or calculate the difference between final and initial moles of a specific reactant or product.

Q3: What's a typical reaction rate range?
A: Reaction rates vary widely depending on the reaction, from very slow (10^-6 mol/m³·s) to extremely fast (10^3 mol/m³·s or more).

Q4: Does this work for batch and continuous reactors?
A: Yes, but interpretation differs. For continuous reactors, this gives the steady-state reaction rate.

Q5: How does temperature affect the reaction rate?
A: Temperature typically increases reaction rate according to the Arrhenius equation, but this calculator doesn't account for temperature effects.