CHEEE 3032 Reactor design
Project Description
(AY2023-2024)
1. Introduction
The oxidation of SO2 to SO3 is an exothermic reaction that occurs in the presence of a catalyst.
This is a key step in sulfuric acid production, which is normally conducted in a catalytic converter packed with V2O5 based catalysts.
Due to the exothermic nature of the reaction, the catalytic reactor normally consists of a few stages (each is equivalent to a PBR) that are operated adiabatically. Heat exchangers are placed in between these stages to regulate gas temperature, which is to ensure a desired SO2 conversion achieved in each stage. The typical gas temperature and SO2 conversion (Humphris and Javor, 1997) in each of these PBRs are shown below.
2. Tasks
Student groups consisting of two to three members of the same Design Project Group are required to design a SO2 converter, which is capable of processing 200 kmol SO2/h. The converter is to be operated under atmospheric pressure. The conversion is expected to be greater than 98%.
Assuming that the inlet gas mixture is of a composition shown below.
|
SO2 |
O2 |
N2 |
|
8.5 vol% |
9.0 vol% |
82.5 vol% |
The more detailed tasks are,
l Create a mathematical model using Matlab, VBA, Fortran or any other computing language
l Show how the reactor outputs (composition and temperature) vary with feed composition, feed temperature, and amount of catalyst
l Determine the amount of catalyst required
l Determine the dimensions of the reactor
l Ddevelop strategies for safe operation of the reactor
l Prepare a final report on the reactor design
3. Guidelines for submission
All groups are expected to prepare a final report (1250 words maximum) that includes the following major components,
l Cover page
l Table of Contents
l Design assumptions
l Reactor design steps
l Configuration of such a reactor (including the major components of a reactor and a sketch of the reactor)
l Safety considerations (measures for safe operation of the reactor after it is commissioned)
l Discussion of sustainability
l Appendix (must include codes for the mathematical model)