The document describes four types of chemical reactors: batch reactors, continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR), plug flow reactors (PFR), and tubular fixed bed reactors. Batch reactors operate by charging reactants, allowing the reaction to proceed without additional input or output until complete. CSTRs operate continuously with steady input and output of reactants and products to maintain a uniform composition. PFRs are arranged as one long reactor or many short reactors where concentration changes along the length. Tubular fixed bed reactors are tubular with a packed solid catalyst.

1. Reactors

2. Batch Reactor
Type of Reactor Characteristics
Simple Batch Reactor is charged via two holes in the top of the
tank; while reaction is carried out, nothing else is put
in or taken out until the reaction is done; tank easily
heated or cooled by jacket
Kinds of Phases Present Usage Advantages Disadvantages
1. Gas phase
2. Liquid phase
3. Liquid Solid
1. Small scale production
2. Intermediate or one
shot production
3. Pharmaceutical
4. Fermentation
1. High conversion per
unit volume for one pass
2. Flexibility of operation-
same reactor can produce
one product one time and
a different product the
next
3. Easy to clean
1. High operating cost
2. Product quality more
variable than with
continuous operation
http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/batch/index.htm

3. CSTR
Type of Reactor Characteristics
Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) Run at steady state with continuous flow of reactants and products; the feed
assumes a uniform composition throughout the reactor, exit stream has the
same composition as in the tank
Kinds of Phases
Present
Usage Advantages Disadvantages
1. Liquid phase
2. Gas-liquid rxns
3. Solid-liquid rxns
1. When agitation is
required
2. Series configurations
for different
concentration streams
1. Continuous operation
2. Good temperature control
3. Easily adapts to two phase runs
4. Good control
5. Simplicity of construction
6 Low operating (labor) cost
7. Easy to clean
1. Lowest conversion per
unit volume
2. By-passing and
channeling possible with
poor agitation
http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/batch/index.htm

4. PFR
Type of Reactor Characteristics
Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) Arranged as one long reactor or many short reactors in a tube bank ; no radial
variation in reaction rate (concentration); concentration changes with length
down the reactor
Kinds of Phases
Present
Usage Advantages Disadvantages
1. Primarily Gas
Phase
1. Large Scale
2. Fast Reactions
3. Homogeneous
Reactions
4. Heterogeneous
Reactions
5. Continuous
Production
6. High Temperature
1. High Conversion per Unit Volume
2. Low operating (labor) cost)
3. Continuous Operation
4. Good heat transfer
1. Undesired thermal
gradients may exist
2. Poor temperature
control
3. Shutdown and cleaning
may be expensive
http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/batch/index.htm

5. PFR
Type of Reactor Characteristics
Tubular fixed bed Reactor Tubular reactor that is paced with solid catalyst particles
Kinds of Phases
Present
Usage Advantages Disadvantages
1. Gas phase/ solid
catalyzed
2. Gas-solid rxns
1. Used primarily in
heterogeneous has
phase reactions with a
catalyst
1. High conversion per unit mass of catalyst
2. Low operating cost
3. Continuous operation
1. Undesired thermal
gradients may exist
2. Poor temperature
control
3. Channeling may occur
4. Unit may be difficult to
service and clean
http://www.umich.edu/~elements/5e/asyLearn/bits/batch/index.htm