Chemical Reaction Engineering: Reactor Design and Selectivity

Understanding how to choose and configure chemical reactors is the cornerstone of industrial chemical engineering. This course provides a clear, text-based foundation in comparing continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTRs) and plug flow reactors (PFRs). You will learn how reactor sizing, arrangement, and design choices directly impact reaction conversion and product selectivity. By working through detailed explanations and step-by-step mathematical derivations, you will gain the ability to size reactors and design efficient systems for single and multiple reactions. You will also explore modern engineering considerations, including basic environmental impact metrics and computational design workflows. What you'll learn: - Compare reactor size requirements for PFR and CSTR systems under identical reaction kinetics - Analyze the performance of reactors connected in series and parallel configurations - Determine how reactor choice and configuration affect selectivity in multiple reaction networks - Calculate fractional yield and conversion rates for complex reaction mechanisms - Understand foundational safety and sustainability principles in reactor design This course begins with essential terminology, governing equations, and foundational design concepts before moving on to comparative analysis and configuration strategies. You will read structured explanations, study complete mathematical derivations, and solve practical engineering problems. This course is designed for beginners in chemical engineering, chemistry students, or professionals looking for a structured refresher. No advanced reactor design background is required. Start mastering the fundamentals of chemical reactor design and selectivity today.