Chemical reactor example

Consider the chemical reactor system shown in the figure. The reactor is a
vessel where the well known reaction AB occurs. Let us asume that the
reaction occurs at constant volume and temperature. In addition, let us assume
constant physical properties and that the reactor is well mixed. The rate of
reaction is given by the expression

r A ( t )=kCa ( t )
k =constant of reaction

m3
kmoles

C A ( t )=concentrationof ocmponent Areactor

KmolesA
m3

Where

r A =rate of reactionof component A ,

Kmo l A
3

m s

The objective is to develop the mathematical model, transfer functions, and

draw the block diagram, relating C A (t )C Ad ( t ) .

The control volume is the reactor, for this process, an unsteady-state mole
balance on component A. that is define for:
Rate of moles
of componen
into control
volume

In equation form:

Rate of moles
of componen
out control
volume

Rate of change
of component
A in control
volumen

Rate of
change of
moles of
component A
accumulated
in control

f ( t ) C Ai ( t )f (t ) C A ( t ) + (1 ) V r A ( t )=V

d CA (t )
(1)
dt

In equation (1) we have one equation and two unknowns and it is necessary to
establish another equation

r A ( t )=k C 2A ( t ) (2)
Equation (1) and (2) constitute the mathematical model for this process.
Whiting this model model constitutes the first step in our procedure. The
second step calls for linearizing the nonlinear terms in the model.

f ( t ) C Ai ( t ) f ss C Aiss +C Aiss ( f ( t )fss ) +fss (C Ai ( t ) C Aiss )(3)

f ( t ) C A ( t ) f ss C Ass +C Ass ( f (t )fss ) + fss ( C A ( t )C Aiss ) (4)
2

Vk C A ( t ) Vk C Ass + 2Vk C Ass ( C A ( t )C Ass ) ( 5)

It rearranging these equations is obtained

f ( t ) C Ai ( t )f ss C Aiss C Aiss ( f (t )fss ) + fss(C Ai ( t )C Aiss)(3)

f ( t ) C A ( t )f ss C Ass C Ass ( f ( t )fss ) +fss ( C A ( t )C Aiss ) (4 )
Vk C 2A ( t )Vk C 2Ass 2 Vk C Ass ( C A ( t ) C Ass ) (5)
Writing a mole balance at the initial steady state

f ss C Aissf ss C Ass + (1 ) V r Ass=V

d C Ass
(6)
dt

Subtracting 6 of 1:

C
( A ( t ) C Ass )
d
(7)
dt
f ( t ) C Ai ( t )f ss C Aissf ( t ) C A ( t ) + f ss C Ass V r A ( t ) +V r Ass =V
Replacing (3) (4) (5) in (7)

( A ( t ) )
( 8)
dt
d
C Aiss ( f ( t )) + fss ( C Ai ( t ))C Ass ( f ( t ) )fss ( C A ( t ) )2Vk C Ass ( C A ( t ) )=V

Where

f ( t )=( f ( t )fss ) ; C Ai ( t ) =(C Ai ( t )C Aiss) ; C A ( t )=C A ( t )C Aiss

Ordering Equation 8 obtain:

( A ( t ) )
)(C C )
+ C A ( t ) ( f ss 2Vk C Ass )=fss (C Ai ( t ) )+ f (t
Aiss
Ass
dt
d
V

V
( f ss2Vk C Ass )

K 1=

fss
( f ss2 Vk C Ass )

K 2=

C AissC Ass
( f ss2 Vk C Ass )
C

( A ( t ) )

+ C A ( t )=K 1 ( C Ai ( t ) )+ K 2 f (t)
dt
d

Applying Laplace:

s C A ( s ) + C A ( s )=K 1 C Ai ( s ) + K 2 f (s)

C A ( s )=

K1
K2
C Ai ( s ) +
f (s)
(s+ 1)
(s+1)

The desired transfer functions can be obtained. They are

C A ( s )
K1
=
C ( s ) ( s+1)
Ai

C A ( s )
K2
=

(s+1)
f (s)