In: Chemistry
Assume a biological process can be performed in either a plug flow or completely mixed flow reactor, and the process has a first-order reaction rate K of 0.5 hr-1. Assume an influent concentration of 100 mg/L, a regulatory required effluent concentration of 10 mg/L, and a flow rate of 100 m3/hr.
a. What reactor volume (m3) is required if one completely mixed reactor is used?
HINT: use the equation for a first order reaction with a CMR.
b. What reactor volume (m3) is required if one plug flow reactor is used?
The equation for CMRs-in-series with a first-order reaction is , where V is the total volume of all reactors in the series, Q is the flow rate, “n” the number of reactors, Co is the influent concentration to the series of reactors, and Cn is the concentration after “n” reactors. The residence time (Q) of each of reactors-in-series is V/(n Q). Thus, the total residence time is: Qtotal = n Q, if Q is the residence time of each reactor tank. Be careful about the volume of each reactor
c. What is the required TOTAL volume (m3) for four completely mixed reactors in series? Note in the above equation, this total volume is “V” in the above equation.
d. Which of a, b, and c results in the smallest reactor volume? What are the ratios of the other two total reactor volumes to the “smallest” reactor volume?
e. All other things equal (other than reactor volume and thus cost), in selection of the type of reactor what is the order of preference (for these three reactor options) that you would if you were a consulting engineer?