Reactor weblab

This section contains all the information you should need to perform the remote experiment associated with the Non-Ideal Reactors exercise of the Part IIA Chemical Engineering Tripos.

Objectives

• To determine rate constants for the reaction of phenolphthalein with hydroxide ions from batch experimental data.
• To determine the behaviour of a non-ideal reactor by analysis of its residence time distribution.
• To predict the conversion of the reaction when the reactor is operated in continuous mode.
• To gain experience of industry standard process control software (SIEMENS SIMATIC PCS7).

Exercise

The exercise itself can be downloaded as a .pdf or a .doc

Data

Experimental data from the batch experiments can be found here. The data are in tab separated variable files, which are most conveniently opened and analysed using Excel.

Experimental data from the tracer experiments can be found here.

Experiment schedule

This exercise is issued on Friday 30th October and the report must be submitted to reception by 4:30pm on Friday 4th December. The experimental sessions start on Monday 9th November and continue until Thursday 26th November. The experimental sessions are scheduled to last for two hours; if you work efficiently, all the necessary data can be collected in this time.

Experiment Signup

You have already been placed into groups of four. The groups are in the Excel document below.

The group listings and schedule for the Part IIA PD&C Weblab can be found here (Excel document).

Discuss amongst your group which time slot is most convenient and then proceed to the weblab signup system by clicking the link below. EACH GROUP MEMBER must log in separately and select the same time slot for the time to be booked. If another group takes the time slot before all members of you group have booked it, then you will have to choose another.

The weblab signup system can be accessed from here (it requires Raven authentification).

When your group has successfully booked a time slot, you will all receive an e-mail with the date and time of your session, as well as the password required to log into the weblab for that particular session.