Course content

Overview and description of selected reactor types applied in industry, with main focus on fixed bed, fluidized bed, multiphase reactors, and stirred tank reactors. Discussion on the development of the underlying sub-models composing a reactor model: Chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, flow- and transport processes, and physical data. With basis in simple reactor model types, homogeneous and heterogeneous models will be developed for multiphase reactors. Further discussions on dynamics, non-ideal flow patterns, analysis based on residence time distribution functions, and population balance models.

Learning outcome

The students should be able to develop models for different types of chemical reactors, solve the resulting set of equations, analyze data, and calculate the performance of laboratory- and industrial scale reactors.

Learning methods and activities

The general concepts of reactor modeling will be discussed in the lectures. In the exercises the student will work applying these concepts to real problems in petrochemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, and other related areas using Matlab. The final mark in the subject will be an average of the score from the exam (60%) and the exercises (40%). If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may change from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Project

Recommended previous knowledge

Course TKP4110 Chemical Reaction Engineering, course TKP4160 Transport Phenomena, and elementary knowledge of numerical methods. The course is based on the elementary (2nd and 3rd year) compulsory courses in Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, but students from other faculties may take the course as well, possibly after an introductory self-study.

Course materials

Jakobsen, H. A., 2008: Chemical Modeling: Multiphase Reactive Flows, Springer, and selected scientific papers.

Credit reductions