pluggflödesreaktorn

The plug flow reactor, or PFR, is a common type of industrial chemical reactor. It is characterized by its cylindrical shape, through which reactants flow in a continuous stream. Unlike a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR), a PFR does not have a mixing mechanism to ensure uniform concentration throughout the reactor. Instead, the concentration of reactants changes along the length of the reactor as the reaction proceeds.

In an ideal PFR, each element of fluid entering the reactor moves through it with minimal axial mixing. This means that at any given point along the reactor's length, the fluid has a consistent age. The reaction rate is therefore a function of the local concentration and temperature, which vary as the fluid moves. The design of a PFR often involves a long tube or pipe, where the reactants enter at one end and the products exit at the other.

The performance of a PFR is typically described by a differential equation that relates the rate of reaction to the change in concentration with respect to reactor volume. This equation is often integrated to determine the required volume for a specific conversion. PFRs are particularly well-suited for reactions where high conversion is desired, or when the reaction rate is strongly dependent on reactant concentration. They are often used in gas-phase reactions and in processes involving high pressures. The simplicity of their design also makes them relatively easy to scale up.