Chemical reaction engineering is at the core of chemical engineering education. Unfortunately, the subject can be intimidating to students, because it requires a heavy dose of mathematics. These mathematics, unless suitably explained in the context of the physical phenomenon, can confuse rather than enlighten students. Bearing this in mind, Reaction Engineering Principles is written primarily from a student’s perspective. It is the culmination of the author’s more than twenty years of experience teaching chemical reaction engineering.
The textbook begins by covering the basic building blocks of the subject—stoichiometry, kinetics, and thermodynamics—ensuring students gain a good grasp of the essential concepts before venturing into the world of reactors.
The design and performance evaluation of reactors are conveniently grouped into chapters based on an increasing degree of difficulty. Accordingly, isothermal reactors—batch and ideal flow types—are addressed first, followed by non-isothermal reactor operation, non-ideal flow in reactors, and some special reactor types.
For better comprehension, detailed derivations are provided for all important mathematical equations. Narrative of the physical context in which the formulae work adds to the clarity of thought. The use of mathematical formulae is elaborated upon in the form of problem solving steps followed by worked examples. Effects of parameters, changing trends, and comparisons between different situations are presented graphically. Self-practice exercises are included at the end of each chapter.
Introduction
Concepts from Physical Chemistry
Concepts from Fluid and Particle Mechanics
Concepts from Heat and Mass Transport Processes
Conservation Laws
Stoichiometry
Law of Definite Proportions
Law of Multiple Proportions
Reaction Stoichiometry
Exercises
References
Chemical Kinetics
The Rate of a Homogeneous Chemical Reaction
Factors Affecting the Rate of a Chemical Reaction
Kinetics of Heterogeneous Reactions
Exercises
References
Thermodynamics of Chemical Reaction
Heat of Reaction
Reaction Equilibrium
Exercises
References
Ideal Isothermal Batch Reactor
General Mole Balance Equation for Homogeneous Reactions
Constant Volume Batch Reactor
Single-Reactant nth-Order Reaction
General Reaction Involving Several Reactants
Reversible Reactions
Half-Life for Irreversible Reactions
Multiple Reactions
Variable Volume Batch Reactor
Heterogeneous Reactions in Batch Reactor
Exercises
References
Ideal Isothermal Flow Reactors
Ideal Plug Flow Reactor
Ideal Backmix Flow Reactor
Comparison of PFR and BFR
Combination of PFR and BFR
Exercises
References
Nonisothermal Reactors
Batch Reactor
Plug Flow Reactor
Backmix Flow Reactor
Reversible Reactions under Nonisothermal Conditions
Optimum Temperature
Exercises
References
Nonideal Flow in Reactors
RTD for Ideal Reactors
RTD for Real Reactors
Properties of RTD Function
Conversion from RTD
Mathematical Models for Real Reactors
Exercises
References
Reactors of Special Types
Electrochemical Reactors
Biochemical Reactors
Catalytic Packed Bed Reactors
Catalytic Fluidized Bed Reactors
Exercises
References
Appendices
The International System of Units
Commonly Used Units for Some Physical Quantities with Conversion Factors
Some Important Physical Constants
Biography
Himadri Roy Ghatak earned his BE and ME degrees from the erstwhile University of Roorkee (now Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee) and his PhD from Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology. He worked in the industry from 1991 to 1995 before joining the faculty of Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, where he rose to the position of a professor in chemical engineering. He also served as the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and associate dean (research and consultancy). He has taught courses in chemical reaction engineering, mass transfer, environmental engineering, and energy technology. Professor Ghatak’s research focuses on electrochemical advanced oxidation, hydrogen production, and lignin.
"… comprehensive and covers topics required for undergraduate and graduate students. … The topics are well organized and distributed systematically."
—Nayef Ghasem, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain"Elaborate details of the physical phenomenon and models are given before the ideas are translated into equations and formulae. … Detailed derivations have been provided … including intermediate steps which make mathematical aspects more comprehensible and less intimidating."
—Pramod K. Bajpai, Thapar University, Patiala, India