Chemical reaction in batch pulsatile flow and stirred tank reactors

Abstract

We report experimental observations on the use of a batch pulsatile flow reactor. The irreversible reaction between sodium hydroxide and ethyl acetate, NaOH+CH₃COOC₂H₅→CH₃COONa+C₂H₅OH, is followed as a model example in both a pulsatile flow and a stirred tank reactor. Reaction species were premixed with carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt in order to increase the viscosity of the solution and to make the fluid mixing within the vessel a critical parameter. The results show that the reaction kinetics are similar for the two devices and air entrainment problems are limited to the stirred tank reactor. Power density considerations show that the pulsatile flow reactor is more energy efficient than the stirred tank reactor.