1. What is Total Molar Feed Rate?

Definition: The total molar feed rate gives the number of moles of reactant being fed to the reactor per unit time, combining both fresh feed stream and recycle stream.

Purpose: It helps chemical engineers determine the total reactant flow entering a reactor system, which is crucial for reactor design and process optimization.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F_0' \) — Total molar feed rate (mol/s)
• \( R \) — Recycle ratio (dimensionless)
• \( F \) — Fresh molar feed rate (mol/s)

Explanation: The fresh feed rate is multiplied by (recycle ratio + 1) to account for both the fresh feed and the recycled material.

3. Importance of Total Molar Feed Rate

Details: Accurate calculation of total feed rate is essential for proper reactor sizing, determining residence time, and ensuring optimal reaction conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the recycle ratio (typically between 0 and 10) and fresh molar feed rate (must be > 0). The calculator will compute the total molar feed rate.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical recycle ratio in industrial processes?
A: Recycle ratios vary widely but often range from 0.5 to 5 depending on the process economics and conversion requirements.

Q2: Why do we recycle reactants?
A: Recycling improves overall conversion, reduces raw material costs, and helps maintain optimal reactor conditions.

Q3: How does recycle ratio affect the total feed rate?
A: Higher recycle ratios significantly increase the total molar feed rate while keeping the fresh feed rate constant.

Q4: Can the recycle ratio be zero?
A: Yes, when there's no recycle stream, the total feed rate equals the fresh feed rate.

Q5: What units should I use for fresh feed rate?
A: The calculator uses mol/s, but you can use any consistent molar flow rate units as long as you're consistent.