Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

The module builds on knowledge gained in:
General chemistry
Calculcus
Fundamental Chemical Engineering and Thermodynamics
Inorganic and organic chemistry

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The course focuses on the basic design and the analysis of chemical reactors. It covers reaction stoichiometry, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, mass and energy balances, with the interplay of these concepts used for the design and analysis of the main types of batch and continuous-flow reactors.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

Students who have passed the module should be able to

• Define the extent of reaction for closed and open systems and account for the Law of Definite Proportions
• Define the fractional conversion of a reagent
• Explain how molar balances are expressed for both single and multiple reactions as a system of mathematical equations for closed and open systems
• Account for homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions
• Explain how rate equations are expressed for homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions
• Explain how rate equations are expressed for irreversible and reversible reactions
• Describe power-law rate equations and the concept of order of reaction
• Define the rate constant and describe the Arrhenius relationship
• Describe the Michaelis-Menten rate equation
• Explain the concept of ideal Batch Stirred Tank Reactor (BSTR)
• Account for the design equation for an ideal BSTR in different forms
• Explain the concept of ideal Continuous Stirred tank reactor (CSTR)
• Account for the design equation for an ideal CSTR in different forms
• Explain the concept of ideal Plug Flow Reactor (PFR)
• Account for the design equation for an ideal PFR in different forms
• Explain how systems of continuous reactors are analyzed and designed
• Illustrate Levenspiel plots
• Describe different multiple reaction schemes (series, parallel, series-parallel)
• Define yield and selectivity for multiple reaction systems
• Account for series reactions in BSTR, CSTR and PFR reactors
• Account for parallel reactions in BSTR, CSTR and PFR reactors
• Explain how experimental kinetic data from different types of chemical reactors are used to derive rate equations
• Explain the Differential and the Integral Method of analysis of experimental kinetic data
• Describe the energy balance for a continuous-flow reactor at steady state
• Describe the energy balance for a batch reactor
• Explain the main features of adiabatic and isothermal reactors
• Account for stability and instability of CSTR reactors
• Explain what a catalyst is and describe the basic features of industrial solid catalysts

Skills

• Establish and olve equations for analysis and design of ideal reactors or reactor systems operating isothermally or adiabatically for both single and multiple reactions
• Calculate annual production for batch and continuous-flow reactors
• Analyze kinetic data from ideal reactors and derive rate equations
• Optimize yield and selectivity of multiple reactions

Competences

• Model and analyze reactors for chemical and biochemical industrial reactions
• Analyze natural reactive processes based on the principles of chemical reaction engineering

Type of instruction

• Lectures as well as theoretical and practical exercises

Extent and expected workload

150 hours

Exam

Exams

Name of exam	Chemical Reaction Engineering
Type of exam	Written or oral exam
ECTS	5
Permitted aids	With certain aids: Please see the examination schedule.
Assessment	7-point grading scale
Type of grading	Internal examination
Criteria of assessment	The criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures