Autocatalytic reactions in semi-batch reactors with no catalyst in the feed stream

✍ Scribed by B.W. Brooks

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 514 KB
• Volume: 43
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0009-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-2509(88)80022-8

✦ Synopsis

The use of semi-batch reactors for autocatalytic reaction schemes of type A+nB:(n+f)B arc discussed. A general procedure is used to obtain dimensionless rate equations when the consumption of A is of order n with respect to B and the production of C is of order m with respect to B. When the volume of reactor contents is small initially, concentration changes do not depend on the feed rates. Attention is focussed on cases where B is a desired product but no B is in the feed; i.e. the reactor must be inoculated with B. The concentration of B, C,,, is then found to decline initially. When m>n a subsequent increase in C, often occurs even when the initial volume of the reactor contents, V,, is small. When n>m the initial magnitude of C, must exceed a critical value if a subsequent increase in C, is to occur. This critical value is shown to depend on the initial value of C, and on V,. When m = n = 1, the dimensionless concentration of A, t(, must exceed 1 if growth in B is to occur. After C, reaches its maximum value, a approaches a value of 1. For production purposes the initial mass of B required in a semi-batch reactor is often less than that required for a batch reactor.