Experimental program for CHEN5040

Chemical Reaction Engineering - S1 2025

Experimental program

As a fully online student, you won’t be able to attend the labs. Therefore, the experimental program will be replaced by a task involving analysis of experimental data. We have recorded the experiments and have prepared a short video for each experiment so that you can watch the experiments remotely. The data to be analysed will be similar to that you would have otherwise obtained after witnessing an experiment. Thus the learning outcomes would remain the same. Working in a group of two, you would understand the experiment (and theory behind it), interpret the data given, and prepare a short report addressing key questions for the task.

This year, we will be exploring the following three experiements. For all the three experiments, I have uploaded the laboratory manuals onto blackboard. Please go through these laboratory manuals to understand more about the experimental setups and procedure.

Experiment 1: Batch saponification reaction of Et(Ac) and NaOH

Reaction rate constant for the saponification of ethyl acetate by sodium hydroxide, will be determined using isothermal batch experiments. The reaction is chosen as it can be carried out under safe conditions of temperature and pressure and is well documented. The use of indicators allows to follow the reaction by changing the colour as the reaction takes place. The Armfield batch reactor is designed to demonstrate the mechanism of a chemical reaction in a reactor, as well as the effects of varying process conditions such as reaction temperature, reagent concentrations etc.

Instructions

1. Watch ‘Experiment 1 - Batch reactor - Introduction.mp4’ as well as complete the prelab module Virtual Laboratory - Batch Reactor
2. Read ‘Experiment 1 - Batch reactor - Instructions v3.pdf’, and ‘CEB-MKIII Issue 3 Instruction Manual.pdf’
3. Analyse ‘Experiment 1 - Batch reactor - Data 1.xlsx’, and ‘Experiment 1 - Batch reactor - Data 2.xlsx’
4. Prepare a report and upload it in assessments.

Note: The conductivity readings are in mS/cm. The results were exported from Armfield software. Given the limited space on Mimic diagram screen in the software, the units are abbreviated to mS.

Experiment 2: Reaction rate constant using a tubular reactor

In this experiment we will determine the reaction rate constant for the saponification of ethyl acetate by sodium hydroxide as it can be carried out under safe conditions of temperature and pressure and is well documented. We use the Armfield Continuous Tubular Flow Reactor setup for this purpose. The setup is designed to demonstrate the mechanism of a chemical reaction in a plug flow reactor as well as the effects of varying the process conditions such as reaction temperature, reactant concentration, feed rate etc.

Instructions

1. Watch ‘Experiment 2 - Tubular reactor - Introduction.mp4’ as well as complete the the prelab module Virtual Laboratory - Tubular Reactor
2. Read ‘Experiment 2 - Tubular reactor - Instructions.pdf’, and ‘CET-MKII Issue 21 Instruction Manual.pdf’
3. Analyse ‘Experiment 2 - Tubular Reactor - Data 1.xlsx’, and ‘Experiment 2 - Tubular Reactor - Data 2.xlsx’
4. Prepare a report and upload it in assessments.

Note: The conductivity readings are in mS/cm. The results were exported from Armfield software. Given the limited space on Mimic diagram screen in the software, the units are abbreviated to mS.

Experiment 3: Study of Sucrose Inversion using catalytic reactor

The aim of this practical exercise is to study the sucrose inversion reaction. This reaction, a hydrolysis which has fructose and glucose as products, will take place in a fixed bed catalytic reactor. Two catalysts are proposed: a strong cationic exchange resin and an immobilised enzyme, invertase, the activity of which is specific to the catalysis of this reaction. The reactors’ steady state conversion is followed either manually or by an automated analytical technique known as FIA (Flow Injection Analysis). Further objectives of this practical work are the familiarisation of the student with specific problems associated to catalytic and enzymatic reactions, as well as contact with the FIA analytical technique.

Instructions

1. Watch ‘Experiment 3 - Catalytic Reactor - Introduction.mp4’ as well as complete the prelab module Virtual Laboratory - Catalytic Reactor
2. Read ‘Experiment 3 - Catalytic Reactor - Instructions.pdf’, and ‘PC-0054962-Armfield-Manual-CEU-Issue 13.pdf’
3. Analyse ‘Experiment 3 - Catalytic Reactor - Data 1 v2.xlsx’, and ‘Experiment 3 - Catalytic Reactor - Data 2.xlsx’
4. Prepare a report and upload it in assessments.

The data is for two different particle sizes in two different columns. The data is continuous as a valve is used to switch between two columns. “chemical 1” and “chemical 2” are the two catalysts (chemical resins used). Chemical 1: $d_p$ = 0.855 mm Chemical 2: $d_p$ = 0.5325 mm

For analysis you can use plug flow assumption.

Groups for analysis of experimental data

You will work in a team of two to understand the experiment analyse the experimental data. The submission schedule is given below. It is expected that you will provide an evidence of collaboration (minutes of meeting) and working together on this group task. Below are the groups for the experimental program. Please get in touch with your group members at the earliest. If you can not make a contact with any of your team members, please get back to me as soon as possible so that I can assist in communication.

Group	Members
1	Ghimire Arpan
	Koppula Kiran Kumar
2	Mainali Subash
	Patel Tanmaykumar

Lab report submission

Use the links on blackboard to submit your report. Please note that the report requirements are different than the internal students. You are only required to prepare a report that answers the tasks outlined in the experiment instructions.

Experiment	Report Due	Instructions
1	9 April 2024	Follow week 5 submission link
2	23 April 2024	Follow week 7 submission link
3	7 May 2024	Follow week 9 submission link