tankreactor

Tankreactor is a term used to denote a tank-based chemical reactor, most commonly a stirred tank reactor. In this context, the tankreactor refers to a vessel designed to hold reacting mixtures while providing controlled mixing and heat transfer. The concept covers both batch and continuous operation, with the specific configuration chosen to match the reaction kinetics, heat generation, and desired output.

In a typical tankreactor, mixing is achieved by mechanical stirring or gas-induced agitation, and heat exchange is provided by jackets or internal coils. The well-mixed assumption often used in analysis leads to a straightforward mass balance, enabling predictions of concentration and temperature over time. For continuous operation, a steady state can be approached when the inflow, outflow, and reaction rates balance. The residence time, defined by the reactor volume and flow rate, is a key design parameter influencing conversion and selectivity.

Common variants include the continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR), where the contents are continuously fed and withdrawn and maintain near-uniform composition, and batch tanks, where reactants are loaded, reacted for a set time, and then emptied. Tankreactors are widely used due to their flexibility, straightforward construction, and suitability for temperature-sensitive or exothermic reactions that require effective heat management or aggressive mixing.

Applications span chemical synthesis, polymerization, fermentation in bioprocessing, and environmental engineering for treatment processes. Design considerations for a tankreactor include heat removal, mass transfer, mixing efficiency, material compatibility, corrosion resistance, and safety management for potentially hazardous reactions.

See also: stirred tank reactor, CSTR, batch reactor, reactor design, process engineering.