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Effect of inert venting on the stability of autorefrigerated batch reactors
Author(s) -
Luyben W. L.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690180112
Subject(s) - inert , exothermic reaction , condenser (optics) , vaporization , inert gas , chemistry , chemical reactor , batch reactor , thermodynamics , process engineering , chemical engineering , waste management , nuclear engineering , organic chemistry , light source , physics , optics , engineering , catalysis
Removal of the exothermic heat of chemical reactons by autorefrigeration (vaporization of a liquid phase) is frequently used in continuous and batch chemical reactors. The vapor thus generated is usually liquified in a condenser and the condensate returned to the reactor. This paper studies the effects of the formation of an inert gas by‐product on the stability and control of batch autorefrigerated reactors. Stability is shown to be strongly influenced by the production of these inerts because their buildup in the condenser reduces heat removal capacity. Inert buildup can be reduced by venting, but excessive venting results in a loss of not only inerts but also of the volatile components in the system. This leads to higher reactor temperaturs, faster reaction rates and instability. Digital simulation of a numerical example illustrates the effects of various parameters.