CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY VI ( EP328 )

NO. OF EXPERIMENT : 4

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT : PULSE INPUT IN A PLUG FLOW REACTOR

NAME & ID NO : NISANTI A/P SINNAIAH ( 1001540933 )

GROUP : MONDAY GROUP (2 – 5 PM )

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 27 / 5 / 19

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 10 / 6 / 19

TUTOR : NURUL HUDA BINTI M. ALI

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & BUILT ENVIRONMENT

2019
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
1.0 Title …………………………………………………………………………………… 3

2.0 Objective ...……………………………………………………………………………. 3

3.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………….. 3 - 4

4.0 Materials and apparatus .……………………………………………………………. 4

5.0 Procedure .………..…………………………………………………………………... 5

6.0 Results and calculations ..……………………………………………………………. 5 - 6

7.0 Discussion ..…………………………………………………………………………… 6 – 7

8.0 Limitation of the experiment ………………………………….……………………. 7 - 8

9.0 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………. 7

10.0 References …………………………………………………………………………… 8

11.0 Appendix .……………………………………………………………………………. 8

11.1 Rubric
11.2 Data sheet
1.0 Title : Pulse input in a plug flow reactor.
2.0 Objective :
 To examine the effect of a pulse input in a plug flow reactor.
 To construct a residence time distribution (RTD) function for the plug flow reactor.
 To find the relationship between outlet conductivity values and time.
3.0 Introduction :
In chemical engineering life, chemical reactors play an important role as designed equipment
for chemical reactions to take place. There are several chemical reactors available in conducting
various chemical processes such as Plug Flow Reactor (PFR), Constantly-Stirred Tank Reactor
(CSTR), Batch Reactor and Semi-Batch Reactor.
This experiment mainly focus on Tubular Flow Reactor (TFR) or known as Plug Flow
Reactor (PFR). This reactor usually used to contain chemical reactions that occur in liquid phase
under isothermal and adiabatic conditions. In this reactor, fluids flow continuously with high
velocities at steady state so that there will be no condition where the products re-diffuse or back-
mixing. The rate of reaction is higher at the pipe inlet and lower at the pipe outlet.
This is due to the highest concentration of reactants at the pipe inlet and the concentration
decrease as the reaction occurs along the pipe. The flow in plug flow reactors can be laminar and
greatly deviate from the ideal plug-flow behaviour as with gases. The plug flow reactor is
specially designed to allow detailed study of the important process. It is one of the three reactor
types which are interchangeable on the reactor service unit. The plug flow reactors are used for
applications like fast reactions, large-scale production, continuous production, homogenous or
heterogeneous reaction and high-temperature reactions.
High temperature reactions and residence time distribution (RTD) analysis is an effective
diagnosis tool that is typically used to inspect the malfunction of chemical reactors.
Measurements of the residence time distribution can be done by introducing a non-reactive tracer
into the system at the inlet. The concentration of the tracer will change according to a known
function and the response can be recorded by measuring the concentration of the tracer at the
outlet. The residence time distribution of a real reactor deviates from an ideal reactor. The
residence time of an element of fluid leaving a reactor is the length of time spent by that element
within the reactor. In a plug flow reactor, the residence time is the same for all distribution of the
effluent fluid.
4.0 Material and apparatus :
Materials : de-ionized water and salt solution
Apparatus : Plug Flow Reactor (PFR)
5.0 Procedure :
1. All valves except valve V7 were ensured to be closed.
2. 20 liter of 0.05 M NaCl salt solution was prepared.
3. The tank B2 was filled with the NaCl solution.
4. The water de-ionizer was connected to the laboratory water supply. Valve V19 was opened to fill
up feed tank B1 with the de-ionized water and then closed valve V19.
5. The power for the control panel was turned on.
6. Valves V2 and V10 were opened. Pump P1 was switched on. P1 was adjusted to obtain a flow
rate of approximately 150 ml/min at flow meter FI-01. Valve V10 was closed and pump P1 was
switched off.
7. Valves V6 and V12 were opened. Pump P2 was switched on. P2 was adjusted to obtain a flow
rate of approximately 150 ml/min at flow meter FI-02. Valve V12 was closed and pump P2 was
switched off.
8. The valve V9 was opened and pump P1 was switched on.
9. P1 flow controller was adjusted to give a constant flow rate of de-ionized water into the reactor
R1 at approximately 150 ml/min at F1-01.
10. The de-ionized water was allowed to continue flow through the reactor until the inlet (Q1-01)
and outlet (Q1-02) conductivity values are stable at low levels. Both conductivity values was
recorded.
11. The valve V9 was closed and pump P1 was switched off. Then, valve V11 was opened and pump
P2 was switched on. The timer was started simultaneously.
12. P2 flow controller was adjusted to give a constant flowrate of salt solution into the reactor R1 at
150 ml/min at FI-02.
13. The salt solution was allowed to flow for 1 min, and then the timer was reset and restarted. This
was started the time at the average pulse input.
14. Then, the valve V11 was closed and quickly valve V9 was opened. Pump P2 was switched off.
15. The de-ionized water flow rate was made sure always maintained at 150 ml/min by adjusting P1.
16. Both the inlet (QI-01) and outlet (QI-02) conductivity values was started recording at regular
 intervals of 30s.
17. The conductivity values was continued recording until all readings are almost constant and
approach the stable low level values.
6.0 Results and calculations :
Flow rate = 150 ml/min
Input type = Pulse input

Conductivity ( mS/cm )
Time ( minutes )
Inlet Outlet
0.0 0.5 0.0
0.5 2.5 1.5
1.0 1.5 2.6
1.5 1.2 2.9
2.0 0.9 4.6
2.5 0.7 3.0
3.0 0.7 3.2
3.5 0.6 2.3
4.0 0.6 1.5
4.5 0.5 0.7
5.0 0.5 0.3
5.5 0.5 0.1
6.0 0.5 0.0
6.5 0.5 0.0
7.0 0.5 0.0

Table 1.0 : Conductivity of the mixture at the inlet and outlet at the specific time.
 Outlet conductivity values vs time
5 4.6

4
Outlet conductivity (mS/cm)

3.2
2.9 3
3 2.6
2.3

2
1.5 1.5

1 0.7
0.3
0 0.1 0 0 0
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

-1
Time (min)

Figure 1.0 : Graph of time vs outlet conductivity.

∞
∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = Area under the graph

For time ( 0.0 - 0.5 ) minutes :

0.0 + 1.5
Area = ( 0.5 – 0.0 )( 2 ) = 0.375 g.min/m3

For time ( 0.5 - 1.0 ) minutes :

1.5+2.6
Area = ( 1.0 - 0.5 )( 2 ) = 1.025 g.min/m3

For time ( 1.0 – 1.5 ) minutes :

2.6+2.9
Area = ( 1.5 - 1.0 )( 2 ) = 1.375 g.min/m3

For time ( 1.5 - 2.0 ) minutes :

2.9+4.6
Area = ( 2.0 - 1.5 )( 2 ) = 1.875 g.min/m3

For time ( 2.0 – 2.5 ) minutes :

4.6+3.0
Area = ( 2.5 – 2.0 )( 2 ) = 1.900 g.min/m3

For time ( 2.5 – 3.0 ) minutes :

3.0+3.2
Area = ( 3.0 - 2.5 )( 2 ) = 1.550 g.min/m3
For time ( 3.0 – 3.5 ) minutes :
3.2+2.3
Area = ( 3.5 – 3.0 )( 2 ) = 1.375 g.min/m3

For time ( 3.5 – 4.0 ) minutes :

2.3+1.5
Area = ( 4.0 - 3.5 )( 2 ) = 0.950 g.min/m3

For time ( 4.0 – 4.5 ) minutes :

1.5+0.7
Area = ( 4.5 - 4.0 )( 2 ) = 0.550 g.min/m3

For time ( 4.5 – 5.0 ) minutes :

0.7+0.3
Area = ( 5.0 - 4.5 )( ) = 0.250 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 5.0 – 5.5 ) minutes :

0.3+0.1
Area = ( 5.5 – 5.0 )( 2 ) = 0.100 g.min/m3

For time ( 5.5 – 6.0 ) minutes :

0.1+0.0
Area = ( 6.0 - 5.5 )( 2 ) = 0.025 g.min/m3

For time ( 6.0 – 6.5 ) minutes :

0.0+0.0
Area = ( 6.5 – 6.0 )( 2 ) = 0.000 g.min/m3

For time ( 6.5 – 7.0 ) minutes :

0.0+0.0
Area = ( 7.0 - 6.5 )( 2 ) = 0.000 g.min/m3

7.0
∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = ( 0.375 + 1.025 + 1.375 + 1.875 + 1.900 + 1.550 + 1.375 + 0.950 + 0.550 + 0.250
+
0.100 + 0.025 + 0.000 + 0.000 )
= 11.350 g.min/m3

Time ( minutes ) 𝑪(𝒕)

E(t) = ∞
∫𝟎 𝑪(𝒕) 𝒅𝒕

0.0 For t = 0 , C0 = 0.0

0.0
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.0000
11.350
0.5 For t = 0.5 , C0 = 1.5
1.5
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.1322
11.350
1.0 For t = 1.0 , C0 = 2.6
2.6
𝐸(𝑡) = 11.350 = 0.2291
1.5 For t = 1.5 , C0 = 2.9
2.9
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.2555
11.350
2.0 For t = 2.0 , C0 = 4.6
4.6
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.4053
11.350
2.5 For t = 2.5 , C0 = 3.0
3.0
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.2643
11.350
3.0 For t = 3.0 , C0 = 3.2
3.2
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.2819
11.350
3.5 For t = 3.5 , C0 = 2.3
2.3
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.2026
11.350
4.0 For t = 4.0 , C0 = 1.5
1.5
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.1322
11.350
4.5 For t = 4.5 , C0 = 0.7
0.7
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.0617
11.350
5.0 For t = 5.0 , C0 = 0.3
0.3
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.0264
11.350
5.5 For t = 5.5 , C0 = 0.1
0.1
𝐸(𝑡) = = 0.0088
11.350
6.0 For t = 6.0 , C0 = 0.0
0.0
𝐸(𝑡) = 11.350 = 0.0000
6.5 For t = 6.5 , C0 = 0.0
0.0
𝐸(𝑡) = 11.350 = 0.0000
7.0 For t = 7.0 , C0 = 0.0
0.0
𝐸(𝑡) = 11.350 = 0.0000
Table 1.1 : E(t) values at the specific time.
 E(t) vs Time
0.45
0.4053
0.4

0.35

0.3 0.2819
0.2555 0.2643

0.25 0.2291
0.2026
E(t)

0.2

0.15 0.1322 0.1322

0.1
0.0617
0.05 0.0264
0 0.0088 0 0 0
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-0.05
Time (min)
Figure 1.1 : Graph of exit time (E(t)) vs time.

To find Residence time (RTD) :

∞
∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = Area under the graph

For time ( 0.0 - 0.5 ) minutes :

0.0000 +0.1322
Area = ( 0.5 – 0.0 )( ) = 0.0331 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 0.5 - 1.0 ) minutes :

0.2291+ 0.1322
Area = ( 1.0 - 0.5 )( ) = 0.0903 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 1.0 – 1.5 ) minutes :

0.2555+0.2291
Area = ( 1.5 - 1.0 )( ) = 0.1212 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 1.5 - 2.0 ) minutes :

 0.4053+0.2555
Area = ( 2.0 - 1.5 )( ) = 0.1652 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 2.0 – 2.5 ) minutes :

0.2643+0.4053
Area = ( 2.5 – 2.0 )( ) = 0.1674 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 2.5 – 3.0 ) minutes :

0.2819+0.2643
Area = ( 3.0 - 2.5 )( ) = 0.1366 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 3.0 – 3.5 ) minutes :

0.2026+0.2819
Area = ( 3.5 – 3.0 )( ) = 0.1211 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 3.5 – 4.0 ) minutes :

0.1322+0.2026
Area = ( 4.0 - 3.5 )( ) = 0.0837 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 4.0 – 4.5 ) minutes :

0.0617+0.1322
Area = ( 4.5 - 4.0 )( ) = 0.0485 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 4.5 – 5.0 ) minutes :

0.0264+0.0617
Area = ( 5.0 - 4.5 )( ) = 0.0220 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 5.0 – 5.5 ) minutes :

0.0088+0.0264
Area = ( 5.5 – 5.0 )( ) = 0.0088 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 5.5 – 6.0 ) minutes :

0.0000+0.0088
Area = ( 6.0 - 5.5 )( ) = 0.0022 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 6.0 – 6.5 ) minutes :

0.0000+0.0000
Area = ( 6.5 – 6.0 )( ) = 0.0000 g.min/m3
2

For time ( 6.5 – 7.0 ) minutes :

 0.0000+0.0000
Area = ( 7.0 - 6.5 )( ) = 0.0000 g.min/m3
2
7.0
∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = ( 0.0331 + 0.0903 + 0.1212 + 0.1652 + 0.1674 + 0.1366 + 0.1211 + 0.0837 +
0.0485
+ 0.0220 + 0.0088 + 0.0022 + 0.000 + 0.000 )
= 1.0001 g.min/m3
7.0
Residence Time =∫0 𝑡. 𝐸 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = (7.0)(1.0001) = 7.0007 minutes
7.0 Discussion :
Tubular Flow Reactor (TFR) or also known as Plug Flow Reactor (PFR) was used in this
experiment. Plug Flow Reactor (PFR) is a type of reactor consisting of a cylindrical pipe
whereby the feed enters at one end of a cylindrical tube and the product stream leaves at the
other end. It usually operates at steady state. The long tube and the lack of provision
for stirring prevent complete mixing of the fluid in the tube. Hence the properties of the
flowing stream will vary from one point to another. The fluid in PFR is considered to be thin,
unmixed layer of volume segments or 'plugs', hence the name. There are three objectives in
this experiment.

First and second objective of this experiment is to examine the effect of a pulse input in a
plug flow reactor and to construct a residence time distribution (RTD) function for the plug
flow reactor. The flow rate of liquid in the reactor was kept constant at a value of 150 ml/min.
The reactor was prepared and the values of inlet and outlet conductivity was obtained at an
interval of 30 seconds until the value stabilizes. A graph of outlet conductivity against time
was plotted to obtain a C(t) curve. Based on the graph obtained, it can be seen that the outlet
conductivity steadily increases to a value of 4.6 mS/cm at 2 minutes time duration. This is
due to the introduction of the pulse input to the reactor. Peak value of this graph is 4.6
mS/cm. Then, it reduces a little to 3.0 mS/cm and subsequently increases to 3.2 mS/cm. After
reaching this point, the graph gradually decreases until it approximately reaches its initial
value of 0. Actually, the ideal shape of this graph should be in a bell shape but the graph that
was plotted base on the values obtain defers a little. This is because of the sudden drop in the
outlet conductivity value about 3.0 mS/cm at 2.5 minutes. This was caused the overall shape
of the graph to diverge from the ideal bell shape curve. This error occurred due to several
limitations present while carrying out the experiment.

Furthermore, third objective of this experiment is to find the relationship between outlet
∞
conductivity values and time. The value of concentration of the pulse input, ∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 , was
obtained by taking the total area under the graph of outlet conductivity against time. This
value was determined to be 11.350 g.min/m3. The calculation involves numerical methods,
whereby trapezoidal rule was utilized to calculate the area under the graph at each 30 seconds
time interval and proceed to add all of them up in order to obtain the final value.

Next, a graph of E(t) against time, which is also the residence time distribution (RTD) was
plotted. The values of E(t) was obtained based on the formula:
 𝑪(𝒕)
E(t) = ∞
∫𝟎 𝑪(𝒕) 𝒅𝒕

After the graph has been plotted, the total resident time was calculated by evaluating the
total area under the graph of E(t) against time. Similarly, trapezoidal rule was once again
applied for every 30 second interval and subsequently adding all the individual values to
obtain the final value, which is 7.0007 minutes. This indicates that the sodium chloride
solution is present in the reactor for 7.0007 minute until it is completely consumed. From
this, it can be concluded that the residence distribution time is dependent on the outlet
conductivity of the reactor.

8.0 Limitation of the experiment :

 In my opinion, the results were inaccurate due to some limitations. This was caused the graph
of outlet conductivity against time to diverge from the ideal bell shape curve. The first
limitation of this experiment is the constant fluctuation of the plug flow reactor readings.
While obtaining the conductivity value, the readings were recorded while they were still
fluctuating causing inaccuracy of results obtained. To avoid this limitation, students should
wait until the readings are stable before recording the conductivity value on the plug flow
reactor.
 Next, the limitation that caused the inaccuracy of the results obtained is stopwatch was not
used while students recorded the conductivity value at the time interval of 30 seconds.
Therefore, the readings might not be recorded at a precise timing, which is every 30 seconds.
To increase the accuracy of the results obtained, a stopwatch should be used while the
experiment was conducted.
 Lastly, the experiment was conducted only once, resulting in only one set of data obtained.
With that, the results cannot be compared and the average result cannot be calculated. To
solve this limitation, the experiment should be conducted for at least three times and the
average result should be calculated to ensure the most accurate readings are obtained.
9.0 Conclusion :

In conclusion, the graph of outlet conductivity value against time is diverge from the ideal
bell shape curve due to some limitations while the experiment was conducted. The value of
∞
concentration of the pulse input, ∫0 𝐶 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 , was obtained by taking the total area under the
graph of outlet conductivity against time and the value was determined to be 11.350
g.min/m3. The value of E(t) was then calculated by plotting a graph of E(t) against time and
using the formula
 𝑪(𝒕)
E(t) = ∞
∫𝟎 𝑪(𝒕) 𝒅𝒕

The value of residence time obtained was 7.0007 minutes. Precautions should be taken
while the experiment was conducting to ensure the most accurate results was obtained from
the experiment. All objectives were achieved in this experiment.

10.0 References :
 H. Scott Fogler (2004). Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering. (3rd edition). Prentice-
Hall of India Private Limited, M-97, Connaught Circus, New Dehli: Asoke K. Ghosh.
 Marie Curie. (2008, September 17). Distributions of Residence Times for Chemical Reactors.
Retrieved on June 09, 2019, from
http://www.umich.edu/~essen/html/byconcept/chapter13.pdf
 Zhewen Lu, Julien Cochet, Nicolas Leplat, Yi Yang and Michael J Brear. (2017, September
6). A high-pressure plug flow reactor for combustion chemistry investigations. Retrieved on
June 09, 2019, from https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6501/aa8023
11.0 Appendix :
11.1 Rubric
11.2 Data sheet