UNIT OPERATION LABORATORY 2

(CCB 3062)

EXPERIMENT 6:
CSTR DYNAMICS
GROUP 12 MEMBERS

1) RAFYHADI BIN JUNAEDI

14535

2) RHAHIMI BIN DASRIL

13756

3) SAI HARI RAM

16946

4) SEAN SURAJ JEREMIAH

14286

5) SITI AISHAH BINTI KHALED

14306

LAB DEMONSTRATOR

: MR. RIZWAN NASIR

DATE OF SUBMISSION

: 13 FEBRUARY 2013

INTRODUCTION
The objective of the experiment is to study the transient behavior of three Continuous Stirred-Tank
Reactors connected in series by plotting the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) curve.

Residence time, is the amount of time a fluid spends in a reactor.

where V is the volume of the reactor and is the volumetric flow rate.
The RTD function, E(t) describes the amount of time a fraction of fluid is present in the reactor.
When E(t) vs. t is plotted. The area under the curve gives the fraction of substance that has spent a

certain amount of time in the reactor.

E(t )dt 1
0

Since,

t2

E (t )dt
t1

Therefore, fraction of substance spent in a reactor within a certain time is given by,
In this experiment, the RTD curves are determined using the Step and Pulse input methods. For both
methods, deionized water is used as the bulk fluid and 0.025M sodium chloride solution is used as
the tracer. The conductivity is measured in all three reactors in one minute intervals.

RESULTS & CALCULATION

Step Input
Since conductivity, of the 0.025M sodium chloride solution was not measured directly, it was
estimated to be 3500 S by looking at the equilibrium concentration on the concentration vs. time
graph and the corresponding conductivity.
Using values from Reactor 1 as the basis,
At t=0,
At t=,

C0 = 0 M
C = 0.025M

and
and

0 = 0 S
= 3500 S

Assuming the concentration is linearly proportional to the conductivity, the concentration of the
tracer at time t can be determined by,

0.025
Ct t

3500
C
Ct
F (t ) t
C o 0.025
Therefore, the cumulative distribution, F(t) is simply,

F(t) is the plotted and the equation if the curve is obtained. Then, the RTD is given by,

E (t )

dF (t )
dt

Pulse Input
The concentration is determined from conductivity using the method used above.

E (t )

C (t )

C (t )dt
0

Then, the RTD is determined by,

whereby the denominator is solved using Simpsons one-third rule.

For consistency, the value of the denominator calculated for Reactor 1 was used to compute E(t)
values for the other two reactors.

The tail fitting method as described in the textbook was attempted in order to determine the
theoretical end-point i.e. the x-intercept for the Reactor 2 and 3 curves. However, accurate results
could not be obtained for both step and pulse input methods.

Step Input
Reactor 1
Time, t
(min)

Conductivity
(S)

0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0

0.0
0.0
65.3
295.3
553.1
804.8
1043.6
1270.4
1478.6
1670.2
1841.7
1976.6
2104.2
2219.4
2325.9
2426.1
2518.4
2604.2
2678.4
2751.9
2817.6
2877.0

Concentration Cumulative
of Tracer, C(t) Distribution
(M)
F(t)
0.0000
0.0000
0.0005
0.0021
0.0040
0.0057
0.0075
0.0091
0.0106
0.0119
0.0132
0.0141
0.0150
0.0159
0.0166
0.0173
0.0180
0.0186
0.0191
0.0197
0.0201
0.0206

0.0000
0.0000
0.0187
0.0844
0.1580
0.2299
0.2982
0.3630
0.4225
0.4772
0.5262
0.5647
0.6012
0.6341
0.6645
0.6932
0.7195
0.7441
0.7653
0.7863
0.8050
0.8220

Reactor 2
1-F(t)

1.0000
1.0000
0.9813
0.9156
0.8420
0.7701
0.7018
0.6370
0.5775
0.5228
0.4738
0.4353
0.3988
0.3659
0.3355
0.3068
0.2805
0.2559
0.2347
0.2137
0.1950
0.1780

Numerical
Evaluation
of
(1-F(t))
5.9813
5.4858
4.6240
3.8275
3.1425
2.6136
2.1978
1.8432
1.5390
1.2847
1.0695

Residence
Residence
Concentration Cumulative
Time
Conductivity
Time
of Tracer, C(t) Distribution
Distribution,
(S)
Distribution,
(M)
F(t)
E(t) (min-1)
E(t) (min-1)
0.0000
0.0187
0.0657
0.0737
0.0719
0.0682
0.0648
0.0595
0.0547
0.0490
0.0385
0.0365
0.0329
0.0304
0.0286
0.0264
0.0245
0.0212
0.0210
0.0188
0.0170
0.0155

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.5
55.6
127.5
218.2
322.7
432.2
552.5
659.8
767.6
876.8
989.1
1099.8
1206.4
1313.7
1417.6
1520.2
1619.1
1713.9

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0004
0.0009
0.0016
0.0023
0.0031
0.0039
0.0047
0.0055
0.0063
0.0071
0.0079
0.0086
0.0094
0.0101
0.0109
0.0116
0.0122

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0010
0.0159
0.0364
0.0623
0.0922
0.1235
0.1579
0.1885
0.2193
0.2505
0.2826
0.3142
0.3447
0.3753
0.4050
0.4343
0.4626
0.4897

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0010
0.0149
0.0205
0.0259
0.0299
0.0313
0.0344
0.0307
0.0308
0.0312
0.0321
0.0316
0.0305
0.0307
0.0297
0.0293
0.0283
0.0271
0.0254
5

22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0
38.0
39.0
40.0
41.0
42.0
43.0
44.0
45.0
46.0
AREA
UNDER
CURVE

2931.3
2974.3
3019.7
3060.0
3099.8
3133.8
3164.3
3193.8
3220.4
3246.1
3262.0
3282.1
3301.8
3319.3
3334.1
3349.5
3365.4
3378.1
3390.7
3401.2
3405.1
3414.8
3424.0
3431.3
3439.5

0.0209
0.0212
0.0216
0.0219
0.0221
0.0224
0.0226
0.0228
0.0230
0.0232
0.0233
0.0234
0.0236
0.0237
0.0238
0.0239
0.0240
0.0241
0.0242
0.0243
0.0243
0.0244
0.0245
0.0245
0.0246

0.8375
0.8498
0.8628
0.8743
0.8857
0.8954
0.9041
0.9125
0.9201
0.9275
0.9320
0.9377
0.9434
0.9484
0.9526
0.9570
0.9615
0.9652
0.9688
0.9718
0.9729
0.9757
0.9783
0.9804
0.9827

0.1625
0.1502
0.1372
0.1257
0.1143
0.1046
0.0959
0.0875
0.0799
0.0725
0.0680
0.0623
0.0566
0.0516
0.0474
0.0430
0.0385
0.0348
0.0312
0.0282
0.0271
0.0243
0.0217
0.0196
0.0173

0.9005
0.7544
0.6288
0.5257
0.4381
0.3737
0.3105
0.2579
0.2090
0.1713
0.1462
0.1175

0.0123
0.0130
0.0115
0.0114
0.0097
0.0087
0.0084
0.0076
0.0073
0.0045
0.0057
0.0056
0.0050
0.0042
0.0044
0.0045
0.0036
0.0036
0.0030
0.0011
0.0028
0.0026
0.0021
0.0023

1802.9
1891.5
1971.5
2044.4
2119.4
2193.0
2258.3
2321.3
2381.1
2439.2
2495.3
2546.2
2594.4
2641.8
2683.6
2721.3
2760.8
2798.8
2834.3
2870.5
2901.2
2932.0
2960.1
2989.1
3015.3

0.0129
0.0135
0.0141
0.0146
0.0151
0.0157
0.0161
0.0166
0.0170
0.0174
0.0178
0.0182
0.0185
0.0189
0.0192
0.0194
0.0197
0.0200
0.0202
0.0205
0.0207
0.0209
0.0211
0.0214
0.0215

0.5151
0.5404
0.5633
0.5841
0.6055
0.6266
0.6452
0.6632
0.6803
0.6969
0.7129
0.7275
0.7413
0.7548
0.7667
0.7775
0.7888
0.7997
0.8098
0.8201
0.8289
0.8377
0.8457
0.8540
0.8615

0.0253
0.0229
0.0208
0.0214
0.0210
0.0187
0.0180
0.0171
0.0166
0.0160
0.0145
0.0138
0.0135
0.0119
0.0108
0.0113
0.0109
0.0101
0.0103
0.0088
0.0088
0.0080
0.0083
0.0075

12.8142

Reactor 3
Time, t (min)

Conductivity
(S)

Concentration
of Tracer, C(t)
(M)

0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
23.0

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
6.3
21.1
48.0
80.5
120.8
162.9
211.3
265.1
325.4
391.5
461.7
538.6
613.4
697.8
778.8
866.1
948.9
1036.4

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0002
0.0003
0.0006
0.0009
0.0012
0.0015
0.0019
0.0023
0.0028
0.0033
0.0038
0.0044
0.0050
0.0056
0.0062
0.0068
0.0074

Cumulative
Distribution
F(t)

Residence
Time
Distribution,
E(t) (min-1)

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0018
0.0060
0.0137
0.0230
0.0345
0.0465
0.0604
0.0757
0.0930
0.1119
0.1319
0.1539
0.1753
0.1994
0.2225
0.2475
0.2711
0.2961

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0018
0.0042
0.0077
0.0093
0.0115
0.0120
0.0138
0.0154
0.0172
0.0189
0.0201
0.0220
0.0214
0.0241
0.0231
0.0249
0.0237
0.0250
0.0238
7

24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0
38.0
39.0
40.0
41.0
42.0
43.0
44.0
45.0
46.0
AREA
UNDER
CURVE

1119.7
1204.0
1288.2
1375.6
1454.6
1532.4
1610.9
1690.7
1766.8
1842.2
1912.0
1984.1
2052.0
2120.8
2182.1
2247.1
2311.1
2370.0
2432.1
2488.1
2543.1
2596.9
2651.1

0.0080
0.0086
0.0092
0.0098
0.0104
0.0109
0.0115
0.0121
0.0126
0.0132
0.0137
0.0142
0.0147
0.0151
0.0156
0.0161
0.0165
0.0169
0.0174
0.0178
0.0182
0.0185
0.0189

0.3199
0.3440
0.3681
0.3930
0.4156
0.4378
0.4603
0.4831
0.5048
0.5263
0.5463
0.5669
0.5863
0.6059
0.6235
0.6420
0.6603
0.6771
0.6949
0.7109
0.7266
0.7420
0.7575

0.0241
0.0241
0.0250
0.0226
0.0222
0.0224
0.0228
0.0217
0.0215
0.0199
0.0206
0.0194
0.0197
0.0175
0.0186
0.0183
0.0168
0.0177
0.0160
0.0157
0.0154
0.0155

Pulse Input
Reactor 1

Time, t
(min)

Conductivity
(S)

Concentration
of Tracer, C(t)
(M)

0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0

3.0
53.0
345.2
546.6
513.0
470.6
429.0
391.9
358.6
327.1
298.1
272.7
247.4
226.4
203.9
187.3
168.3
153.6
138.4
124.2
112.4

0.0000
0.0004
0.0025
0.0039
0.0037
0.0034
0.0031
0.0028
0.0026
0.0023
0.0021
0.0019
0.0018
0.0016
0.0015
0.0013
0.0012
0.0011
0.0010
0.0009
0.0008

Numerical
Evaluation
of C(t) dt
0.0040
0.0217
0.0202
0.0168
0.0140
0.0117
0.0097
0.0080
0.0066
0.0053
0.0043

Residence
Time
Distribution,
E(t) (min-1)
0.0005
0.0084
0.0549
0.0869
0.0816
0.0748
0.0682
0.0623
0.0570
0.0520
0.0474
0.0434
0.0393
0.0360
0.0324
0.0298
0.0268
0.0244
0.0220
0.0197
0.0179

Numerical
Evaluation
of E(t) dt
0.0891
0.4840
0.4490
0.3744
0.3124
0.2601
0.2157
0.1783
0.1464
0.1189
0.0960

tE(t)

0.0000
0.0084
0.1098
0.2607
0.3262
0.3741
0.4092
0.4361
0.4561
0.4680
0.4739
0.4769
0.4720
0.4679
0.4538
0.4467
0.4281
0.4151
0.3960
0.3752
0.3574

Numerical
Evaluation
of tE(t) dt
0.1435
1.4788
2.2317
2.6098
2.8021
2.8535
2.7974
2.6685
2.4847
2.2541
2.0127
9

21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0
38.0
39.0
40.0
41.0
42.0
43.0
44.0
45.0
46.0
AREA
UNDER
CURVE

100.2
90.7
81.2
72.4
63.2
56.8
48.4
42.4
36.3
31.2
26.6
23.4
17.8
13.8
10.0
6.9
3.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0.0007
0.0006
0.0006
0.0005
0.0005
0.0004
0.0003
0.0003
0.0003
0.0002
0.0002
0.0002
0.0001
0.0001
0.0001
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000

0.0035
0.0027
0.0021
0.0016
0.0012
0.0008
0.0004
0.0002
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000

0.0449

0.0159
0.0144
0.0129
0.0115
0.0100
0.0090
0.0077
0.0067
0.0058
0.0050
0.0042
0.0037
0.0028
0.0022
0.0016
0.0011
0.0006
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000

0.0776
0.0607
0.0465
0.0348
0.0256
0.0172
0.0097
0.0035
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000

1.0000

0.3345
0.3172
0.2969
0.2762
0.2512
0.2348
0.2078
0.1887
0.1674
0.1488
0.1311
0.1190
0.0934
0.0746
0.0556
0.0395
0.0224
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000

1.7811
1.5158
1.2545
1.0070
0.7922
0.5672
0.3367
0.1289
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000

10.5733

10

Reactor 2

Time, t
(min)

Conductivity
(S)

Concentration
of Tracer, C(t)
(M)

Numerical
Evaluation
of C(t) dt

0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
22.0

0.0
0.0
0.0
16.0
60.0
96.9
127.2
151.8
171.3
185.5
196.0
203.2
208.0
209.6
210.0
209.7
205.3
205.3
197.6
191.6
185.4
179.6
171.4

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0001
0.0004
0.0007
0.0009
0.0011
0.0012
0.0013
0.0014
0.0015
0.0015
0.0015
0.0015
0.0015
0.0015
0.0015
0.0014
0.0014
0.0013
0.0013
0.0012

0.0000
0.0009
0.0041
0.0065
0.0079
0.0087
0.0090
0.0090
0.0087
0.0082
0.0077
0.0071

Reactor 3
Residence
Time
Distribution,
E(t) (min-1)
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0029
0.0110
0.0178
0.0233
0.0278
0.0314
0.0340
0.0359
0.0372
0.0381
0.0384
0.0385
0.0384
0.0376
0.0376
0.0362
0.0351
0.0340
0.0329
0.0314

Numerical
Evaluation
of E(t) dt
0.0000
0.0227
0.1053
0.1660
0.2033
0.2230
0.2303
0.2298
0.2243
0.2107
0.1971
0.1818

Conductivity
(S)

Concentration
of Tracer, C(t)
(M)

Numerical
Evaluation
of C(t) dt

0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
4.2
10.9
22.1
33.5
50.1
63.4
76.7
90.1
101.2
112.9
124.2
133.8
142.3
150.6
157.2
162.6
167.5
171.0
173.1

0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0001
0.0002
0.0002
0.0004
0.0005
0.0005
0.0006
0.0007
0.0008
0.0009
0.0010
0.0010
0.0011
0.0011
0.0012
0.0012
0.0012
0.0012

0.0000
0.0000
0.0005
0.0015
0.0027
0.0038
0.0048
0.0057
0.0064
0.0070
0.0073
0.0075

Residence
Time
Distribution,
E(t) (min-1)
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
0.0008
0.0020
0.0040
0.0061
0.0092
0.0116
0.0140
0.0165
0.0185
0.0206
0.0227
0.0244
0.0260
0.0275
0.0287
0.0297
0.0306
0.0312
0.0316

Numerical
Evaluation
of E(t) dt
0.0000
0.0008
0.0128
0.0377
0.0695
0.0983
0.1237
0.1464
0.1648
0.1781
0.1872
0.1920
11

23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0
38.0
39.0
40.0
41.0
42.0
43.0
44.0
45.0
46.0
AREA
UNDER
CURVE

166.1
156.4
150.1
142.2
134.7
126.3
120.4
112.2
106.3
97.4
92.5
84.5
79.1
72.1
66.3
60.6
56.6
50.9
46.1
40.8
36.1
33.5
28.1
24.2

0.0012
0.0011
0.0011
0.0010
0.0010
0.0009
0.0009
0.0008
0.0008
0.0007
0.0007
0.0006
0.0006
0.0005
0.0005
0.0004
0.0004
0.0004
0.0003
0.0003
0.0003
0.0002
0.0002
0.0002

0.0064
0.0058
0.0051
0.0045
0.0039
0.0034
0.0028
0.0024
0.0020
0.0016
0.0012

0.0390

0.0304
0.0287
0.0275
0.0261
0.0247
0.0231
0.0221
0.0206
0.0195
0.0179
0.0170
0.0155
0.0145
0.0132
0.0122
0.0111
0.0104
0.0093
0.0084
0.0075
0.0066
0.0061
0.0052
0.0044

0.1648
0.1480
0.1320
0.1163
0.1011
0.0867
0.0729
0.0619
0.0506
0.0401
0.0312

175.1
177.3
177.4
177.6
176.1
174.4
172.2
168.7
167.3
162.9
160.4
156.3
152.6
148.2
143.6
139.1
134.7
130.1
125.1
121.4
115.8
111.6
107.9
102.5

0.0013
0.0013
0.0013
0.0013
0.0013
0.0012
0.0012
0.0012
0.0012
0.0012
0.0011
0.0011
0.0011
0.0011
0.0010
0.0010
0.0010
0.0009
0.0009
0.0009
0.0008
0.0008
0.0008
0.0007

0.0076
0.0075
0.0074
0.0071
0.0069
0.0065
0.0062
0.0058
0.0054
0.0050
0.0046

0.0320
0.0324
0.0324
0.0324
0.0322
0.0319
0.0315
0.0308
0.0306
0.0298
0.0293
0.0286
0.0279
0.0271
0.0262
0.0254
0.0246
0.0238
0.0229
0.0222
0.0212
0.0204
0.0197
0.0187

0.1945
0.1930
0.1885
0.1828
0.1755
0.1671
0.1574
0.1476
0.1374
0.1272
0.1180

0.0391

12

GRAPH OF TRACER CONCENTRATION VS TIME - STEP

0.0250

0.0200

0.0150
Tracer
Concentration (M)

Reactor 1
Reactor 2

0.0100

Reactor 3
0.0050

0.0000
0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

Time (min)

13

GRAPH OF TRACER CONCENTRATION VS TIME - PULSE

0.0045
0.0040
0.0035
0.0030
Tracer
Concentration (M)

0.0025
Reactor 1
0.0020

Reactor 2

0.0015

Reactor 3

0.0010
0.0005
0.0000
0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

Time(min)

GRAPH OF E(t) VS TIME - STEP

0.0800
0.0700
0.0600
0.0500
E(t)
0.0400
(min-1)

Reactor 1
Reactor 2

0.0300

Reactor 3

0.0200
0.0100
0.0000
0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

Time (min)

14

GRAPH OF E(t) VS TIME - PULSE

0.6000

0.5000

0.4000
E(t)
(min-1) 0.3000

Reactor 1
Reactor 2

0.2000

Reactor 3

0.1000

0.0000
0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

Time(min)

DISCUSSION
The time required to observed the change is 46 minutes for both experiment, with 1 minute
interval of data and we need to focus on the tank 1 which the conductivity is rapidly increase
through the process followed by tank 2 and tank 3. In experiment A, the result shown it is increase
continuously. By this type of experiment also, we have learned about RTD which is known to
function as a quantitative on how much time for different fluid element have spent in the reactor.
From the graph of E(t) vs t for step change, it can be conclude that reactor 1 is the most well mixed
reactor because it is increased and decrease rapidly compared to tank 2 and tank 3. The smooth
curves of the concentration vs. time graph in both experiments indicate that the CSTR is well mixed
However for pulse change experiment, we observe that there is a slight change compared to
step change. This can be show by the graph. In graph of tracer concentration vs. time for step
change, reactor 1 show the concentration is increase rapidly in early time(about 20minutes) and
then continue increase slowly as the time is increase until 45minutes while in pulse change, it
increase rapidly then slowly decease. In addition, from the graph, we can also observe that the trend
of the graph is same for all reactors, but the time for the tracer concentration to mixed is much
lower. Reactor 1 is the most rapid, followed by reactor 2 and reactor 3 is the slowest. The trend of
15

graph for pulse change and step change is different because in pulse change the injection of NaCl
was different. It is just injected only one shot in the reactor feed stream with the calculated time
only 20 seconds compared to step change which is injected with continuously constant into the
reactor. All of the graphs showed that reactor 1, 2 and 3 is assumed to achieve their highest output
at time over 45 minutes. The concentrations of the entire reactor reach equilibrium at 45minutes.
Hence the concentration of NaCl is increase and then decreasing as the time is increase. The
principal difficulties with the pulse technique lie in the problems connected with obtaining a
reasonable pulse at a reactors entrance. The injection must take place over a period which is very
short. As a conclusion for our discussion, we can observe that the trend of the graph of our result is
similar to expected result as shown in theory part. However, there is a slight error in our data
because of several causes that will be discussed in next part (Error and Recommendation).
The theoretical residence time, = V/ = 1500ml/(150ml/min) = 10 minutes. The mean
residence time evaluated from Exp A (step) is 12.812 minutes and from Exp B (pulse) is 10.573
minutes. The experimental values are expected to be lower than the theoretical values. This
deviation can be attributed to improper numerical integration and differentiation methods. This
could also be the reason for the noise in the RTD plot for Exp. B.
Errors And Recommendation
From the experiment there is several errors and misconduct that leads to undesired result.
Therefore, it is needed to have some recommendations to amend these errors. The errors is listed as
below:

There are bubbles in the pipeline that affects the flow rate of the de-ionized water that
should be 150ml/min. The actual flow rate of fluctuates because of the presence of bubbles.

It is observed that there is still a small amount of impurities left in the reactors from the
effect of color observed inside the reactor. We can also observe some impurities or small
solid inside tank 1 which affect the conductivity.

The preparation of the 0.025M NaCl solution is not prepared accurately because the
preparation is done in a bulk amount which is 10L. The concentration of NaCl solution may
be different from 0.025M

The data obtained from Data Acquisition System is not the same for 2 different sources,
which are from the monitor and the ADC modules devices beside the reactor. There is slight
difference between the two sources that lead to confusion. But it is instructed to gain result
only from the monitor

16

From the errors above, there are several recommendations that can be done that may increase the
accuracy of the results:

The water pump and the pipeline should be service frequently so that it can pump and
transport water smoothly to the reactor. In addition, flow rate should also be adjusted in
correct method to avoid the presence of bubble.

The reactor should be cleaned before conducted the experiment. The impurities should be
taken out of the tank, and if possible, change the water in the tank before conducting the
experiment.

The 0.025M NaCl should be prepare in correct method and small scale using volumetric flask
instead of using 10L tank. It may take time, but it can increase accuracy.

The data should only be focused on the monitor so that there is a consistency in result.

17

CONCLUSION
In this experiment, the transient behavior of CSTR in series is observed by using retention
time distribution (RTD) parameter. RTD affected by solute concentration present at a certain time.
Amount of solute is indicated by conductivity parameter and the concentration for each time
intervals is calculated using this parameter. The final finding reveals that the two experiments, step
and pulse change input exhibit same trend of RTD against time behavior. It is also observed that
each reactor in series is dependent. This can be proved when the solute concentration in the first
reactor is change, the concentration in the two other reactors are affected.
When a step change of solute concentration is introduced at the feed, it is observed that the
tracer concentration for each reactor is increases as time increases. The final concentration for the
respective three reactors at the end time is 0.0246 M, 0.0215 M and 0.0189 M. Theoretical graph
shows that each concentration is converge to a constant final concentration. Since the recorded final
concentration is close with each other, the data for step change experiment is relevant. RTD against
time graph shows different trend from the tracer concentration against time graph. The RTD for
each reactor increases to a maximum value before the RTD decrease in any increment of time.
When a pulse change of solute concentration is introduced at the feed, the tracer
concentration for each reactor increases and reaches maximum concentration before undergoing
declination. This trend is the result from the pulse input. The final concentration for each reactor is
0.0000 M, 0.0002 M and 0.0007 M. These final concentrations are close with each other and
theoretically, the data for pulse change experiment is relevant. RTD against time graph shows same
trend as the tracer concentration against time graph. Each RTD of the reactors increases up to a
certain point and then decreases.

Overall, the experiment results are relevant since the deviation from the theory is
considerable. Errors are involved that lead to the deviation. The objective of the experiment is
achieved: to study the transient behavior of three Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactors connected in
series by plotting the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) curve.

18

REFERENCES
Fogler, H.S., Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering Chapter 13, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall PTR,
2006.
(19 December 2012). Residence Time Distribution. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 7, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residence_time_distribution
Residence Time Distribution [pdf document]. Chemical Engineering IIT Bombay. Retrieved from
www.che.iitb.ac.in/courses/uglab/cl431/ms401-rtd.pdf

19