Analog simulation of a plug flow tubular reactor

This thesis stresses the importance of analog and digital computers in the field of reaction kinetics. The analog computer is used to simulate a chemical reaction, the hydrolysis of acetic anhydride. The hydrolysis reaction takes place in a tubular reactor. The reactor is 3/4 inch in diameter and 20 feet long. These reactor dimensions allow the reaction system to approach plug flow, if the reactants flow through the reactor at turbulent flow rates. The physical, reactor, system is used to obtain experimental data for the hydrolysis reaction. The data is obtained at reactor temperatures between 75 and 100°F. Feed concentrations of acetic anhydride range between 0.0340 and 0.0760 lb.moles/ft.³. The experimental data is compared with the analog simulation at various feed temperatures and feed concentrations of acetic anhydride. The analog simulation successfully follows these changes in initial conditions. PACTOLUS, a digital analog simulator, provides a check on the validity of the analog simulation. The PACTOLUS simulation confirms the results obtained from the analog simulation --Abstract, Page ii