Problem solving in chemical reactor design / Juan A. Conesa.

Table of Contents
Preface xi

Nomenclaturexiii

Part I Non-ideal Flow Characterization and Chemical Reaction 1

1 Non-ideal Flow and Reactor Characterization 3

Summary of Residence Time Distribution Properties and Most Important Models 3

Residence Time Distribution 3

RTD in Ideal Reactors 4

Tanks-in-series (TIS) Model 4

Dispersion Model 4

Bo < 0.01 4

Bo > 0.01, Closed–Closed Recipient 4

Bo > 0.01, Open–Open Recipient 4

2 Chemical Reaction in Non-ideal Reactors 55

Summary of Most Important Models 55

Calculation of Conversion 55

Tanks-in-series (TIS) Model and Chemical Reaction 55

Dispersion Model and Chemical Reaction 55

From RTD Runs 56

Mass Balance in Ideal Reactors 57

Arrhenius Law for Kinetic Constants 57

3 Transfer Function in Chemical Reactor Design 123

Summary of the Equations and Concepts 123

Transfer Function 123

Laplace Transform of Some Functions 123

Transfer Function in Ideal Reactors 124

CSTR 124

PFR 124

Part II Convolution and Unsteady State in Chemical Reactors 139

4 Convolution and Deconvolution of Signals in Chemical Reactor Engineering 141

Summary of Equations and Methods 141

Convolution 141

Deconvolution 143

5 Partial Differential Equations in Chemical Reactor Engineering 157

Summary 157

Finite Differences Method (FDM) 157

First Derivative 157

Second Derivative 157

Stability of the FDM 157

Ideal Reactors Working in Unsteady State 158

CSTR Working in Unsteady State 158

PFR Working in Unsteady State (No Dispersion) 158

PFR Working in Dynamic Regime (With Dispersion) 159

Part III Catalytic and Multiphase Reactor Design 213

6 Reaction Rate in Catalytic Processes 215

Summary of Equations for the Catalytic Reactor Design 215

Rate in Heterogeneous Systems 215

Rate of External Diffusion 216

Dimensionless Numbers and Their Relationship 216

Internal Diffusion Effect 217

Combination of Resistances 218

Process of Absorption (No Reaction) 218

7 Catalytic Reactor Design 253

8 Multiphase Reactor Design 299

Summary of Rate Expressions 299

Process of Absorption (No Reaction) 299

Fluid–Fluid Reaction 299

Fluid–Fluid (Gas–Liquid) Reaction in Catalysts 301

Part IV Biochemical Reactor Design 335

9 Biochemical Reactor Design: Enzymatic Processes 337

Summary of Kinetic Expressions 337

Enzymatic Reactions 337

Michaelis–Menten Kinetics 337

10 Biochemical Reactor Design: Microbial Growth 357

Summary of Kinetic Expressions and Mass Balances in Bioreactors 357

Bibliography 385

Index 387

Problem Solving in Chemical Reactor Design provides in-depth coverage of more than 200 solved complex reactor design problems extracted from core chemical engineering subject areas. The problems in this book cover the design of non-ideal, catalytic, multiphase, heterogeneous, and biochemical reactors rather than focusing on basic Chemical Reactor Engineering concepts.

Each complex problem is solved using simple procedures and mathematical tools, enabling readers to better understand the correct procedure for solving problems and solve them faster, more conveniently, and more accurately.

This book is inspired by more than two decades of the author's teaching experience in chemical reactor engineering. Accompanying electronic materials include spreadsheets and easily understandable Matlab® programs, which can both be downloaded from the Wiley website.

Some of the topics covered in Problem Solving in Chemical Reactor Design include:

Optimization, operation, and complexities of reactor design in the face of non-idealities such as mixing issues and residence time distributions
Utilization of the tanks-in-series model, dispersion model, and intricate combinations of ideal reactors to elucidate the impact on conversion rates
Signal processing within the domain of chemical reactor engineering, specifically focusing on convolution and deconvolution methodologies
Reaction kinetics, diffusion dynamics, and catalyst efficiency in catalytic reactor design, and design of gas-catalytic and gas-liquid-solid catalyst systems in multiphase reactors
Problem Solving in Chemical Reactor Design is an excellent learning resource for students and professionals in the fields of chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and fine chemistry.

About the Author
Juan A. Conesa, PhD, is a distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Alicante, Spain. With over 30 years of experience, his research focuses on decomposition kinetics, waste degradation, and pollutant analysis under various conditions. He is particularly renowned for his work on dioxins and furans analysis in waste treatment processes. Since 2015, he has led the research group “Waste, Energy, Environment and Nanotechnology (WEEN)” at the University of Alicante.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on June 29, 2026).