This digital experiment uses a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to measure the rate of reaction for the liquid-phase reaction CH3COOCH3 + NaOH → CH3COONa + CH3OH
The reactor is initially filled with water. To start reaction, turn on the stirrer, open the two feed valves to a desired percentage, and turn on the two pumps. Measure the change in volumes in the two feed tanks to determine their feed rates. Wait for the reactor to reach steady state and then record the reactant concentrations in the CSTR. Use a mass balance to determine the rate of reaction.
This digital experiment was created in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder for LearnChemE.com by Sanjay Baskaran under the direction of Professor John L. Falconer and Michelle Medlin. It was prepared with financial support from the National Science Foundation (DUE 2336987 and 2336988) in collaboration with Washington State University. Address any questions or comments to LearnChemE@gmail.com.