Why do they use a batch reactor to determine k if they are going to be using CSTR in actual industrial process?
Batch experiments are most always easier to take the necessary data to determine k. • In what cases would you use the order of magnitude reaction times other than to check k values that you calculate? When you are short on time and want to get quick engineering estimates. • At some of the polymer plants and refineries I’ve visited, a huge problem is fouling of the reactors. The plant workers would sometimes have to go into the reactors to break through the solids/sludge that adhere to the reactor walls. I imagine this solid build up leads to a drastic volume decrease. So, how do we take into account the change of volume and it’s detrimental effect to conversion? Good point. It would change the volume; however, catalyst decay by fouling is usually more important. See Ch.10. • Is rinsing the reactor with water after a batch ample cleaning, or are chemical cleans necessary in between batches? It depends, if there are no side reactions, a chemical clean is probably not necessary. Also the
