- Description of apparatus:
The CE 310 chemical reactors trainer is used to compare the conversion of reactants during a saponification reaction in various types of reactor. Various reactor models, available as accessories, can be fitted to the base (3) of the unit. Two tanks (1), one behind the other, contain the liquid chemicals. The two reactants can be fed to the respective experiment reactor using two hose pumps (2) fitted to the front of the base. The pump hoses are equipped with self-sealing rapid action couplings so that the objects of the experiments can be interchanged easily. The switch box (4) contains switches and adjusters for the pump and stirrer speed, a combined conductivity and temperature measuring unit for the measurement of the conversion of the reactants, and an industrial regulator for provision of hot water. Behind the switch box there is a water tank (5) with an electrical heater and a centrifugal pump with which a heating circuit can be run. The product of the reaction produced is collected in a stainless steel tray (6) that is let into the base of the unit, and can be disposed of as appropriate after the experiment.
- Experiments done on it:
The following reactor models can be used as the object of the experiment:
1. Continuous Stirrer Tank Reactor
A key feature of a stirrer tank reactor is that it can work both continuously and also discontinuously in batches. A further advantage is that it is easier to drain in the event of a defective batch or breakdown, as the reaction chamber is directly accessible.
Thus it is possible to quickly set up the experiment. The disadvantages are the poor mixing behavior and less favorable heat transfer to the chemicals used.
2. Tubular Flow Reactor
It is basically comprises a coiled tube or a section of hose in a heat exchanger bath. In the simplest case the bath contains water. Due to the large contact area, very good heat transfer to the reactants or cooling effect on the reactants is achieved Due to the comparatively small cross-sectional aperture, intensive mixing of the chemicals is achieved while the reactants are flowing through the reactor. In comparison to other types of reactors, it therefore offers characteristically higher reactant conversion. In principle, such a reactor can however only be operated continuously and only be cleaned by rinsing, as it cannot be opened.
3. Stirred Tanks in Series
Consists of several stirred tanks connected in series. This arrangement offers the advantage that in one setup, solutions with varying degrees of progress of the reaction are available.
4. Batch Reactor