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Module 6 · Reaction Engineering

Reaction Engineering

Rate laws and order of reaction, the ideal batch, CSTR, and PFR design equations, conversion vs. selectivity, and the practical criteria that actually decide which reactor type to build.

Equilibrium thermodynamics tells you how far a reaction can go; reaction engineering tells you how fast it gets there and what vessel makes that economical. This module works through rate laws and the Arrhenius temperature dependence, derives the batch, CSTR, and PFR design equations side by side, and explains why maximizing conversion is not always the right design target once selectivity enters the picture.

By the end of this module you should be able to explain why a PFR is typically smaller than a CSTR for the same duty — a comparison Module 7's separation processes module picks up directly, since the unconverted reactant a reactor leaves behind is exactly what a downstream separation train exists to recover.

Free related reading in this studio
→ Reaction Kinetics & Reactor Design (CSTR vs PFR)→ Concept Explainer: Reaction Kinetics vs. Equilibrium→ Concept Explainer: Plug Flow vs. Well-Mixed (CSTR) Residence Time→ Reaction Conversion & Reactor Sizing Calculator

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