In an ideal Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) at steady state:
In an ideal Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) at steady state:
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
CSTR (Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor) residence time distribution:An ideal CSTR is characterised by PERFECT MIXING: every element of fluid in the reactor is equally mixed at any instant.Consequence of perfect mixing:• The composition of fluid leaving the reactor equals the composition of fluid inside the reactor.• Every fluid element has an EQUAL probability of leaving the reactor at any moment (regardless of how long it has been in the reactor).• This gives an EXPONENTIAL residence time distribution (RTD):where= mean residence time.• Many fluid elements leave quickly (short residence times) and fewer stay for long times.Contrast with a plug flow reactor (PFR), where all elements have exactly the same residence time(no mixing, delta-function RTD).Answer: Ideal CSTR: perfect mixing → each particle has equal probability of leaving at any instant → exponential RTD.