Calculate plug flow reactor (PFR) design parameters including reactor volume, space time, conversion, and residence time for chemical engineering applications.
Required Reactor Volume
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Space Time (τ)
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Exit Concentration (CA)
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Molar Feed Rate (FA0)
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Actual Conversion
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A Plug Flow Reactor (PFR) has no radial mixing and concentration changes along the reactor length, while a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) has uniform concentration throughout. PFRs typically require less volume for the same conversion.
Space time (τ) is calculated as reactor volume divided by volumetric flow rate (τ = V/v₀). It represents the theoretical residence time of fluid in the reactor.
This calculator supports zero-order, first-order, and second-order reactions. The design equations and volume calculations are adjusted automatically based on the selected reaction order.
Higher conversion requires larger reactor volume or longer residence time. The relationship is non-linear, especially for higher-order reactions where achieving the last 10-20% conversion requires significantly more volume.
The calculator uses mol/L for concentrations, L/min for flow rates, L for volumes, and 1/min for rate constants. Results include space time in minutes and conversion as a percentage.
Yes, but ensure you account for pressure drop and density changes. For ideal gas reactions, you may need to convert between molar and volumetric flow rates using the ideal gas law.
The PFR design equation is V = FA0 ∫(dX/-rA) where V is volume, FA0 is molar feed rate, X is conversion, and -rA is the reaction rate. The integral depends on the reaction kinetics.