Abstract

This article provides an overview of the phenomena and mechanisms that are encountered in the operations of chemical reactors and of the concepts and methods used to describe them. The primary theme of the commentary is the wide spectrum of chemical reactor applications and operating conditions, and the multitude of diverse factors that affect reactor operations. Chemical reactions are classified according to common characteristics (single phase, multiple-phase, solid-phase catalytic, etc). Chemical reactors are classified according to their operating mode, configuration, and the way multi-phase reactants are contacted. Fundamental principles, both physical and chemical, are reviewed and the underlying limitations in applying them are identified and discussed. The design equations of idealized reactor configurations are presented and methods for solving them simultaneously with the energy balance equations are discussed. Common engineering practices that are applied over the entire scope of chemical reactor development are reviewed, including experimental reactors, selection of reactor configuration and operating conditions, and diagnostics. Selected examples of industrial reactors are described.