Reactor Design Project Description
A continuous reactor is fed at a rate of 2,000 m³h?¹ with a gas mixture consisting of 78% N?, 10%NO, 10% O?, 2% NO? (volumetric percentages) at 25 °C and 1.0 atm. Under these conditions nitric oxide is oxidised to nitrogen dioxide by the reaction
2NO + O? ? 2NO?
The reaction is irreversible, the rate equation corresponds to the stoichiometry and the reaction rate constant is 150 m?mol?²s?¹. The volumetric flow does not change linearly with conversion and the process is carried out isothermally.
The above reaction can be performed in a bioreactor by nitrifying bacteria. Design a bioreactor to run the reaction covering the following aspects and highlighting differences from a chemical reactor:
1) Describe the main considerations in the design of the bioprocess and justify reactor choice. (7 marks)
2) Derive a formula to compute the volume of the bioreactor employing appropriate kinetics and, based on this equation, discuss the relationship between the volume of the reactor, yield and production rate including the potential effect of limiting factors. (12 marks)
3) Describe the mechanical design and operation of the bioreactor. (6 marks)