Course Description

This course layouts the fundamentals of two main points:

• Rate Laws
• Stoichiometry for Chemical Reactors.

In this course, we explore the main aspects regarding the rate laws: what are they, why we need them, how to propose elementary rate laws, why not all reactions behave elementary, i.e. non-elementary, effects of pressure, temperature and concentration. More importantly, we model mathematically the rate law behavior vs. temperature using the Arrhenius Equation.

Afterwards, we use stoichiometry and material balances for chemical reactions in order to model concentrations based in a single variable, i.e. species A, the limiting reactant. This will allow us to set all other terms (concentration of excess reactan B, product stream fed, inert material, and so on). This way, we can model concentration required in the "input" of Rate Law Expressions.

We explore the 2 most common cases: Batch Systems and Continous Flow Systems. Specifically, Batch Reactors, Semi-Batch Reactors, Plug Flow Reactors, Tubular Reactors, Stirred Tank Reactors, and CSTR. The models explore: molar feed, concentration, constant vs. variable volume and flow rates.

Learn about:

• What is rate of reaction, relative rate of reaction
• What is a rate law & What is meant by "elementary rate law"
• How to use Power Models, Non-Elementary Rate Law Models
• Rate constant effects vs Temperature
• Mathematical, Analytical and Graphical concepts using: Arrhenius Equation
• How to set Stoichiometry Tables for Batch Reactors - Limiting, Excess Reactants, Products, Inert Material and Total Feed
• How to set Stoichiometry Tables for Continuous Flow Reactors - Limiting and Excess Reactants, Products, Inert Material and Total Feed

At the end of the Course:

• You will feel more confident modeling rate laws for chemical reactions used in chemical reactors.
• You will be able to set stoichiometry tables that depend on a single variable and hence, be able to model conversion, concentration, pressure, volume, volumetric flow rates, molar flow rates and more with respect to this variable.
• This will help in your Isothermal Reactor Design Course, but will also be helpfull for future courses on the topic, since rate laws and stoichiometry are fundamentals in reactor design.