Säiliöreaktori

Säiliöreaktori, also known as a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR), is a fundamental piece of equipment in chemical engineering. It is a vessel in which a chemical reaction takes place, and reactants are continuously fed into the reactor while products are continuously removed. The contents of the reactor are well-mixed, meaning that the concentration of reactants and products is uniform throughout the vessel. This perfect mixing is a defining characteristic of a CSTR, distinguishing it from other reactor types like plug flow reactors.

The operation of a CSTR is typically characterized by its volume, flow rate of reactants, and reaction kinetics. These parameters determine the conversion of reactants to products and the efficiency of the process. CSTRs are often used in series, where the output of one reactor serves as the input for the next. This configuration can achieve higher conversions than a single CSTR of equivalent total volume, as it approximates plug flow behavior.

Applications of säiliöreaktorit are widespread across various industries. They are commonly employed in the production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food products. Their advantages include their ability to handle exothermic reactions due to good temperature control, their relative simplicity in design and operation, and their suitability for reactions where product inhibition is a concern. However, CSTRs are generally less efficient in terms of volume for achieving high conversions compared to plug flow reactors for certain reaction types.