Journal of Engineering

Journal andand
of Engineering Applied Sciences
Applied , Vol.
Sciences, 3, 3,
Vol. Issue (1)(1)
Issue November, 2016
May, 2016

Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular

Reactor Performance
M.K. Al Mesfer
Al Mesfer, M.K.
Chemical Engg. Deptt., College of Engineering, King Khalid University, P.O.Box 394 Abha 61411 KSA.
almesfer@kku.edu.sa
M. Danish*
Danish*, M.
Chemical Engg. Deptt., College of Engineering, King Khalid University, P.O.Box 394 Abha 61411 KSA.
mdansh@kku.edu.sa

Abstract
This work presents an experimental study of the saponi cation reaction of ethyl acetate by so-
dium hydroxide in a tubular reactor at 1 atmosphere (atm) of pressure. The objective of this study
is to analyze the effect of operating conditions on the rate constant and conversion in order to ex-
plore the tubular reactor performance. The temperature, reactant flow rate, and residence time are
the parameters considered for analyzing the reactor performance. The steady-state conversion is
achieved after a period of 30 minutes. Conversion decreases with the increased reactant flow rate,
owing to the resulting decrease in residence time. The rate constant rst decreases and then in-
creases with feed flow rate. The rate constant and conversion increase with increased temperature
within the studied temperature range. The residence time declines with increased reactants flow
rates leading to decreased NaOH conversion. The obtained NaOH conversion values at different
temperatures have been compared with literature data. The outcomes of this study may be useful
in maximi ing the conversion of ethyl acetate saponi cation reaction for industrial scale synthesis
.of sodium acetate and ethanol synthesis in a tubular reactor
Keywords Saponi cation; Plug flow reactor (PFR); Conductivity; Conversion; Hydrolysis.
Article history Received May 04, 2016, Accepted November 08, 2016

1. Introduction reactions is minimal. In plug flow reactors,

Several types of reactors are used
in chemical or petrochemical industries.
Plug flow reactors (PFRs), also known as
continuous tubular reactors, play a key role
in chemical industries. Tubular reactors are
often used when continuous operation is
required but back-mixing of products and
reactants is not desired. The use of plug flow
reactors becomes especially important when
continuous large-scale production is needed.
PFRs are associated with high volumetric unit
conversion because the occurrence of side
reactants are fed from one end of reactor
and flows continuously through the length of
reactor as a series of plugs and the products
are discharged from the other end of reactor.
Advantages of PFRs include high
volumetric unit conversion and the capability
of running for longer periods without any
maintenance or less maintenance. For the
same conversion and reaction conditions,
PFR volume is usually lower than CSTR
volume for isothermal reactions greater than
ero order (Fogler, 2006). For the industrial

Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance
17
 Journal of Engineering
Journal andand
of Engineering Applied Sciences
Applied
Sciences,
application, PFRs can be assembled as a
single long tube or in the form of a coil.
PFRs are extensively used in the industry
for gaseous/liquid phase systems. PFRs are
commonly used for gasoline production, oil
cracking, oxidation of sulphur dioxide to
sulphur trioxide, synthesis of ammonia and
polymer manufacturing along with other
applications.
According to Bursali et al., 2006, the
hydrolysis of a fat or oil in alkaline condition
produces soap and the reaction that occurs in
alkaline conditions is known as saponi cation.
Hydrolysis of an ester to produce an alcohol
and the salt of a carboxylic acid, under basic
conditions, is called saponi cation and it is
normally referred as the reaction of antacid
in the presence of fat/oil to produce soap.
Saponi cation is the hydrolysis of ethyl
acetate by sodium hydroxide to produce
sodium acetate and ethanol. A lot of studies
are available in the literature on the process
improvement of this saponi cation reaction.
The effect of operating conditions on CSTR
performance for ethyl acetate saponi cation
has been investigated experimentally by
Danish et al., 2015. The parameters selected
for analysis were temperature, feed flow rate,
residence time, reactor volume and stirrer
rate. It was found that conversion decreases
with increased flow rate due to decrease of
residence time and agitation rate has a positive
effect on the conversion and rate constant. It
was also concluded that speci c rate constant
and conversion increases with increased
temperature within the studied range.
Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance
18
, Vol.Vol.
3, Issue (1) (1)
3, Issue November, 2016
May, 2016
The hydrolysis of ethyl acetate is one
of the most important reactions, and it is
characterized as second-order reaction in
the literature (e.g. Kapoor, 2004). Various
measurement techni ues (Daniels et al.,
1941; Schneider et al., 2005) have been
used by several investigators at different
temperatures to study saponi cation reaction.
The techniques depend on the conductometric
measurements to evaluate the composition at
any time was reported by alker, 1906 and
this measurement approach circumvents
regular removal of product samples for
analysis.
Tsujikawa et al. 1966 estimated the rate
constant and activated energy at an initial
temperature of 25 oC as 0.112x10-3 m3/mol.
sec and 8.37 KJ mol respectively for alkaline
hydrolysis of ethyl acetate in a polyethylene
batch reactor. It was also observed that the
reaction rate reaction rate of ethyl acetate
saponi cation is not expressed ade uately
by a second-order rate equation as given in
literature (e.g Kapoor, 2004).
Other investigators focused their attention
on online data recording, using a conductivity
measurement technique to make the
procedure much simpler. Researchers have
conducted several studies on saponi cation
reaction; the data exhibit wide scatter for the
saponi cation of ethyl acetate with sodium
hydroxide. Kuheli et al. 2011 conducted
studies on the saponi cation of ethyl
acetate by utilizing innovative conductivity-
monitoring instruments. Rate constants
of the saponi cation reaction at various
 Journal of Engineering
Journal andand
of Engineering Applied Sciences
Applied
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temperatures (range, 35°C to 55°C) were
evaluated, and observed that outcomes were
in agreement with some of the data reported
in literature.
Ahmad et al. 2013 carried out a
comparative study of ethyl acetate hydrolysis
using full two level factorial design in batch
(volume 1x10-3 m3 and plug flow reactors
(volume 0.4 x10-3 m3). The maximum
fractional conversion of 0.97 was obtained at
a residence time of 300 seconds in both type
of reactors under optimum concentrations
of NaOH (0.01 mol L) and CH3COONa
(0.07 mol L). It was also concluded that
reaction conversion increases positively with
increased absolute initial concentration of
CH3COOC2H5.
Saponi cation of ethyl acetate by sodium
hydroxide to optimize the conversion in
a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR)
has been studied using two level factorial
design and response surface methodology by
Ullah et al., 2015. The maximum conversion
of 96.71 was obtained corresponding
to sodium hydroxide and ethyl acetate
concentration of 0.01 mol/L and 0.1 mol/L
while it was suggested that the influence of
feed ratio, agitation rate and temperature was
insigni cant which contradicts the ndings (
effect of reaction temperature on conversion)
of other researchers ( ijayarathne et al.,
2014; Danish et al., 2015). On other hand,
the reactants concentration to maximize the
conversion of sodium hydroxide reported
by Ahmed et al. 2013 was different from the
concentrations calculated by Ullah et al. 2015.
Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance
, Vol.
3, 3,
Vol. Issue (1)(1)
Issue November, 2016
May, 2016
A comparative study of ethyl acetate
saponi cation and an-oxidation-reduction
reaction has been conducted in a batch and
semibatch reactor by Grau et al., 2002. It was
concluded that it is practicable to operate the
reactor in both modes of operation to study
the saponi cation reaction.
Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate by sodium
hydroxide in a tubular reactor using Aspen
Plus has been investigated by Wijayarathne
and Wasalathilake, 2014. The simulated
results were veri ed by the experimental data
and it proves that predicted results were in
agreement satisfactorily with experimental
results. The model developed can be used as
a reference to comprehend reaction kinetics
of plug flow reactor. The objective of the
current study is to investigate the influence
of operating conditions on tubular reactor
performance using hydrolysis of ethyl acetate
by sodium hydroxide. The temperature,
reactant flow rates and residence time are
the parameters considered for analyzing
the influence on steady-state conversion of
NaOH and rate constant. The obtained result
of sodium hydroxide conversion as a function
of temperature of reaction mixture has been
compared with literature data ( ijayarathne
et al. 2014) in order to validate the outcome
of current study.
2. Materials and methods
2.1 Chemicals
Analytical-grade reagents (AR) were used
to carry out the research work. Ethyl acetate
of purity 99.5 and sodium hydroxide of
19
 Journal of Engineering
Journal andand
of Engineering Applied Sciences
Applied
Sciences,
concentration 98.0 -100 were utili ed to
conduct the experiments. The distilled water
generated using distilled water unit (Type
2008,GFL) was used to prepare the solutions
of sodium hydroxide NaOH ( 0.1 M) and
ethyl acetate CH3COOC2H5 ( 0.1 M).
2.2 Experimental Setup
The tubular reactor (reactor coil
length—20.9 m; internal diameter—5.0x10-3
m; total volume of reactor V—0.41x10-3 m3)
obtained from Arm eld (U.K.) has been used
for the experiments for the investigation
as shown in Fig.1 and designed properly to
facilitate the detailed study.
The tubular reactor in which the chemical
reaction takes place made up of a pliable
coil. The volume of the reactor in the form
of coil is 0.41x10-3 m3. The conductivity
and temperature sensors are inserted into
the gland for online data acquisition. In
order to conduct an experiment at a xed
i Setup dia ram of tubular reactor adopted from rm eld
Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance
20
, Vol.Vol.
3, Issue (1) (1)
3, Issue November, 2016
May, 2016
temperature, the reactor coil is immersed
in water, which is maintained at a xed
temperature by temperature controller. Water
enters the reactor through non-return valve
and this valve prevents water draining back
from reactor when pump is under switch off
position.
The reactants i.e. NaOH and CH3COOC2H5
enter the reactor coil from one end and leave
the reactor vessel through the other end of the
coil. The conductivity probe housing allows
the conductivity probe to be xed in the
stream of products mixture coming out from
the reactor coil. The progress of the hydrolysis
reaction is recorded by conductivity probe
as the conductivity of solution varies with
conversion. The conductance of the reaction
mixture varies with conversion. Priming
vessel attached with reactor service unit is
used to ll the reactor coil and returned back
into the hot water circulator system. The
reactants flow rates from the storage vessel
 fixed using peristaltic pumps. Solutions of 0.1M m3 sec)
NaOH and 0.1M CH3COOC2H5 were used for performa
conducting the experiments; and the saponification fixed tem
reaction were performed at a fixed temperature of data were
30°C. Conductance of reaction mixture was recorded shows th
at 5-minute intervals until steady-state condition was with vario
Journal of Engineering
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Sciences , Vol.
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Issue
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2016
30 minutes as shown in Fig.2.
0.9
are controlled by using two peristaltic pumps; 0.85

these pumps are calibrated so that any desired 0.84

Conductivity λt ( Siemens m)
Conductivity λt (Siemeens m)
reactants flow rate can be adjusted. 0.83 0.85

0.82

0.81
2.3 Experimental Procedure 0.8 0.8

Solutions of sodium hydroxide and 0.79

ethyl acetate were prepared to perform 0.78

0.75
the experiments under different process 0.77

0.76
conditions. Two peristaltic pumps were used
0.75
to pump the reactant from feed tanks and enter 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 0.7
6.5
the reactor vessel. The reactants pass through Time t x10-2 (sec)

pre-heating coils submerged in the water; Fig.2: Conductivity

Fig.2: Conductivity versus
versus time curve fortime curve
CH3COOC for
2H5
Fig.3: Effe
here, the reactants are individually brought CH3COOC2H5 hydrolysis by NaOH
hydrolysis by NaOH
conversion
up to the desired reaction temperature. The
The co
reactants are mixed together at the inlet of Sodium hydroxide
at 5-minute intervalsand sodium
until acetate contributed
steady-state condition upto 0.81
conductance to the reaction mixture and on the other
reactor coil and reaction proceeds as reaction was equal to
hand,reached. The and
ethyl acetate steady-state condition
ethyl alcohol do not. was
The
Siemens
mixture pass through the reactor coil. sodium hydroxide solution conductivity at
reached after 30 minutes as shown in Fig.2. a given
decrease
concentration and temperature is not equal to that of
After acquiring the required process rate signi
CH3COON Sodium
A solutionhydroxide and sodium
at the same concentration and
The conv
conditions in the reactor, actual-time reaction conversion.
acetate contributed conductance to the flow rate
conductivity was recorded by the probe flow rate
reaction mixture
The rate constantand
andonreaction
the other hand, ethyl
conversion were
value of
and displayed on control panel. The degree calculated at steady-state conditions. Reaction mixture
acetate and ethyl
conductivity alcohol
decreases with do not.asThe
time the sodium
reaction
Reside
of conversion and hence, rate constant proceeds, and
hydroxide it attains
solution a steady-state
conductivity at avalue
givenof
flow rate
are tabulated by utilizing the conductivity conductivity after approximately 30 minutes. This of 10.0x1
concentration
occurs because and as temperature
the reaction is not equal
proceeds, the
ethyl ace
data. One of the products of saponi cation concentration
to that of CHof COONNaOHsolution
decreases,
at resulting
the same reactants
3 A
indecreased conductivity values. A conversion of
reaction i.e. the sodium acetate ascribes for concentration and reaction conversion. resulting
sodium hydroxide 0.727; and rate constant k
reactants
the conductivity after in nite time. 1.27x10-3 m3 mol.sec were obtained under steady state
The rate constant and reaction conversion practical
conditions.
were calculated at steady-state conditions.
3. Results and Discussion Reaction mixture conductivity decreases
3.1 Steady-State Condition with time as the reaction proceeds, and it
Feed flow rates of 13.33x10-7 m3/ attains a steady-state value of conductivity
sec sodium hydroxide and 13.33x10-7 m3/ after approximately 30 minutes. This
sec ethyl acetate were xed using peristaltic occurs because as the reaction proceeds,
pumps. Solutions of 0.1M NaOH and 0.1M the concentration of NaOH decreases,
CH3COOC2H5 were used for conducting the resulting indecreased conductivity values. A
experiments; and the saponi cation reaction conversion of sodium hydroxide 0.727;
were performed at a xed temperature of 30°C. and rate constant k 1.27x10 m /mol.sec
-3 3

Conductance of reaction mixture was recorded were obtained under steady state conditions.
Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance
21
 Journal of Engineering
Journal andand
of Engineering Applied Sciences
Applied , Vol.Vol.
Sciences, 3, Issue (1) (1)
3, Issue November, 2016
May, 2016

3.2 Reactant Flow Rate reaches a value of 45 at a flow rate of

Influence of the flow rates of NaOH and 10.0x10-7 m3 sec in comparison with a value
urnal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 00 (00) 000–000
CH3COOC2H5 on the conversion and rate of 58 at a flow rate of 6.67x10-7 m3/sec.
constant were investigated. Three different Residence time decreases with increased
3.2 Reactant Flow Rate
feed flow rates (i.e. 6.67x10-7 m3 sec, reactant flow rate and reaches a value of
8.33x10-7
Influence m3ofsecthe and flow
10.0x10-7
rates m3
of sec)
NaOHwereand 205 sec at a flow rate of 10.0x10-7 m3/sec of
CH3COOC2H5 on the conversion and rate constant
ec sodium
selected to analyze
were investigated. thedifferent
Three reaction flow rates (i.e. both sodium hydroxide and ethyl acetate, as
feedperformance
-7
cetate were and m3 sec, 8.33x10
the experiments
6.67x10 were-7conducted
m3/sec andat 10.0x10
a xed -7 shown in Fig.4. As flow rates of reactants are
s of 0.1M m3 sec) were selected to analy e the reaction
used for temperature
performance of and30°C. Actual-time
the experiments conducted at a increased, residence time decreases, resulting
wereconductivity
°
onification fixed
data temperature
were 30 C.the
collectedofwith Actual-time conductivity
different flow rates. in decreased conversion value. Thus higher
perature of data were collected with the different flow rates. Fig.3
as recorded Fig.3
showsshows the variation
the variation of conductivity
of conductivity and
and conversion reactants flow rates are not always desirable
ndition was with variouswith
conversion reactant flow rates.
various reactant flow rates. for practical application.
ached after
0.9 Conductvity vs. flow rate 0.6 temperat
Conversion vs. flow rate 320 0.22 specific r
Residence time vs.reactant
flow rate 0.21
300 The re
Conductivity λt ( Siemens m)

0.85 0.55 Rate constant vs. reactant flow

rate 0.2
reaction
reported
Residence time tR (sec)

280
6. Result
Conversion X

Rate constant k x 103

0.19
obtained

(m3 mol.sec)
0.8 0.5
260 0.18
reactor
0.17
conversio
240 higher (8
0.75 0.45 0.16 obtained
220 be due t
0.15
lower re
200 0.14 time incr
18 0.7 0.4
6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 to increa
Reactants flow rate F x 107 (m3/sec) Reactants flow rate F x 107 (m3 sec)
The effec
OC2H5
Fig. 4: Variation of residence time and rate constant with performa
Fig.3: Effect of reactant flow rates on conductivity and reactants flow rate
iconversion
Effect of reactant flo rates on conducti ity Fig. 4: Variation of residence time and rate constant researche
and conversion suggested
ith3.3 Temperature
reactants flo rate temperat
The conductivity increases with reactant flow rate ijayara
contributed The experiment was conducted at a flow rate of
upto 0.818 Siemens m at flow rates of both reactants
n the other The toconductivity increases with with
reactant 3.3 Temperature
10.0x10 -7
m3 sec for both reactants i.e., NaOH and
equal 10.0x10-7 m3 sec as compared 0.773
o not. The -7 3 CH3COOC2H5. Concentration of both reactants was 0. 5
at a given flow rate upto 0.818 Siemens m at flowA
Siemens m at a flow rate of 6.67x10 m /sec. The experiment was conducted at a flow
adjusted e ual to 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M
decrease of conductivity with an increased feed flow 0.
l to that of rate of 10.0x10
CH3COOC -7
m3/sec for
2H5. Variation of both
rate reactants
constant i.e.,
and
rates of both the
rate signifies reactants equal
formation to desired
of less 10.0x10 -7
m3/
products.
tration and conversion with temperature is shown in Figure 5. It is 0. 5
The conversion curve shows a decline with increased
sec as compared with 0.773 Siemens45m at NaOH and
found that theCH COOC
reaction H . Concentration
conversion of
is a strong function
flow rate. Conversion reaches a value of at a 3 2 5
0.
a flow
flowrate
rate
of of 6.67x10
10.0x10 -7
m3in/sec.
m3 -7sec A decrease
comparison with a of reaction temperature, and variation
both reactants was adjusted e ual to 0.1 Mis almost linear.
Conversion X

rsion were 0.65

value of 58 at a flow rate of 6.67x10 -7 m3/sec.
on mixture of conductivity with an increased feed flow NaOH
1.2 and 0.1 M CH COOC H Variation
3 2 5.
0.75of
0.6
e reaction Rate constant vs.
rate Residence
signi es timethe decreases withofincreased reactant rate 1.1
constant and conversion with temperature
Rate constant k x103 (m3 mol.sec)

value of formation less desired temperature 0.7

flow rate and reaches a value of 205 sec at a flow rate 1 0.55
nutes. This products.
of 10.0x10The
-7 conversion
m3/sec curvehydroxide
of both sodium shows anda is shown in Figure 5. It is found that the
0.9 Conversion vs. 0.5
ceeds, the 0.65
decline with increased flow rate. Conversionof
ethyl acetate, as shown in Fig.4. As flow rates temperature
resulting reaction
0.8 conversion is a strong function of
reactants are increased, residence time decreases, 0.45
Conversion X

version of 0.7 0.6

resulting in decreased conversion value. Thus higher
onstant k 22 Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance 0.4
reactants flow rates are not always desirable for 0.6 25
steady state
practical application. 0.5
0.55

0.4
0.5 Fig.6: Com
0.3 temperatu
(Wijayara
0.2 0.45
5 0 5 40 45
 Fig. 4: Variation of residence time and rate constant with performance have not been explored by the
reactants flow rate
researchers (Ahmed et al. 2013) although it was
3.3 Temperature suggested that conversion increases with increased
temperatures of reaction mixtures (Ullah et al., 2015;
The experiment was conducted at a flow rate of ijayarathne et al., 2014).
10.0x10-7 m3 sec for both reactants i.e., NaOH and
CH3COOC2H5. Concentration Journal
Journal ofEngineering
both reactants
of Engineering
of andand
Applied
Applied
temperature
was Sciences 0.Vol.
, Vol.
Sciences,
isIssue
53, 3,
Issue
more
(1)(1)
profound
November,
May, 2016
than the change with
2016
320
adjusted e ual to 0.1 M NaOH and 0.22
0.1 M specific rate constant.
Residence time vs.reactant 0.
CH 3 COOC
reaction H Variation
2temperature,
5. of rate
flow rate and variation constant and
0.21is almost study (73.4 at 40atoC) and ittemperatures
may be due
conversion
300 with temperature is reactant
shownflow in Figure 5. It is The 0.results
5 obtained different of
Rate constant vs.
linear.
found that the reaction conversion is a strong
rate 0.2 function
reaction mixture have been compared
to the large volume of reaction mixture and with findings
of reported0.by Wijayarathne et al. 2014 as shown in Fig.
280reaction temperature, and variation is almost linear.
Residence time tR (sec)

lower reactant flowijayarathne

rate compared
et al. 2014 with.

Conversion X
6. Results reported by were

Rate constant k x 103

0.19 0.65
obtained under a flow rate of 6.67x10-7 m3 s with a

(m3 mol.sec)
260
1.2
0.18
0.75
Residence time increases with decreased
1.1 Rate constant vs. reactor 0.6volume of 0.44x 10-3 m3. The NaOH
Rate constant k x103 (m3 mol.sec)

temperature
0.17 0.7 flow rate
conversion
0.55
and this by
reported leads to increased
Wijayarathne al.reaction
et work
Current
V 0.41 L)
2014
(Volumeis
1
240 higher (80 at 40 oC) compared ijayarathne
with theet al.value
0.9 Conversion vs. 0.16
conversion.
obtained in
0.5 present study (73.4 at 40 o
VolumeC)Vand
0.44it
L)
2014 (
may
temperature 0.65
220 0.8 be due toThe effect
the large volume of of reaction
reaction mixturemixture and
0.15 0.45
lower reactant flow rate compared with. Residence

Conversion X
0.7 0.6
temperatures
time increases
0.4 ondecreased
with reactor flowperformance
rate and this haveleads
200 0.14
0.6 25 30 35 40 45
6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5
0.55
to increased
not been reaction
explored conversion
by the researchers
. (Ahmed
0.5 Temperature T (oC
Reactants flow rate F x 107 (m3 sec)
0.4 et effect
The al. 2013)
of reactionalthough it was suggested
mixture temperatures on reactor
Fig. 4: Variation of residence time and rate constant with 0.5 Fig.6: Comparison
performance have of NaOH conversion
not been at different
explored by the
reactants0.3
flow rate thattemperatures
conversion
researchers (Ahmed increases
of reaction
et
mixture withwith
al. 2013) although increased
literature data
it was
(Wijayarathne et al. 2014)
0.2 0.45 suggested that conversion increases with increased
3.3 Temperature
5 0 5 40 45
temperatures of reaction mixtures (Ullah et
temperatures of reaction mixtures (Ullah et al., 2015;
4. Conclusions
Temperature T (0C) al., 2015; etijayarathne
ijayarathne al., 2014). et al., 2014).
ture is more profoundThe experiment
than the change was conducted
with at a flow rate of
rate constant. 10.0x10 -7
m 3
sec for both reactants i.e., NaOH and In this investigation, hydrolysis of ethyl acetate ( 0.1
Fig.5:
Fig.5: RateRate constantconstant
and conversion andversusconversion versus
temperature curves
CH3COOC2H5. Concentration of both reactants was M)
0. 5 with sodium hydroxide ( 0.1 M) has been studied.

esults obtained attemperature

adjusted curves
e ualtemperatures
different to 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M The advancement of the saponification reaction was
Conversion varies fromof52.6 at a temperature of 0.
observed by monitoring conductivity data under
mixture haveCH 3COOC
been 2H5. Variation
30 C to 73.4 at afindings
°compared with of rate constant and
temperature of 40 °C. The rate
conversion
by Wijayarathne et al. 2014withastemperature
shown in is shown in Figure 5. It is
Fig. different
0. 5 process conditions. Sodium hydroxide and
constant of the saponification reaction increased from sodium acetate impart conductance to the hydrolysis
ts reported byfound that the-3Conversion
ijayarathne reaction
et3 al. conversion
2014 were varies -3 from
is a strong 52.6
function
0.228x10 m mol.sec to 1.081x10 m3/mol.sec with 0.
reaction. Experiments were performed at a pressure of
of
under a flow ratereaction
of temperature,
6.67x10 -7
m 3 and variation is almost linear.
s with a °
an
at increased
a temperature temperatureof 30from°
C 30to C
73.4to 40 at°Ca
Conversion X

volume of 0.44x 10 -3
m 3
. The NaOH 10.65
atmosphere (atm) and a concentration of 0.1 M of
respectively.
1.2 The change in conversion 0.75 with both reactants. The influence of operating conditions
temperatureet of
on reported by Wijayarathne al. 40
2014°C. is The rate constant of 0.6
80 o
at 40 C) 1.1 compared with Rate constant vs.
the value
Rate constant k x103 (m3 mol.sec)

the
in present study (73.41
saponi
at 40 oC) cation
temperature
and it mayreaction increased 0.7 from 0.55
Current work (Volume
V 0.41 L)
to the large volume 0.9
of reaction
0.228x10 -3 mixture
vs. and
m3 mol.sec
Conversion to 1.081x10-3 m3/ 0.5
ijayarathne et al. 2014 (
0.65 Volume V 0.44 L)
eactant flow rate compared with. Residence
temperature
mol.sec
0.8 with
reases with decreased flow rate and this leads an increased temperature from 0.45
Conversion X

ased reaction conversion

0.7
30 °C .
to 40 °C respectively. The change
0.6
0.4
0.6 25 30 35 40 45
in
ct of reaction mixture
0.5
conversiononwith
temperatures reactortemperature is0.55 more Temperature T (oC
ance have not been explored by the
ers (Ahmed et al. profound than theit change
0.4 2013) although was with speci c rate
0.5 Fig.6:Comparison
Fig.6: Comparison of NaOH
of NaOH conversion
conversion at different
at different
d that conversionconstant.
0.3increases with increased temperatures
temperatures of reaction mixture mixture
of reaction with literature
withdataliterature
tures of reaction mixtures (Ullah et al., 2015; (Wijayarathne et al. 2014)
0.2 0.45
athne et al., 2014). 5 The0 results5 obtained40 at45 different data (Wijayarathne et al. 2014)
4. Conclusions
temperatures Temperature
of reaction
T mixture have (0C)

been compared with ndings reported by In

4. this investigation, hydrolysis of ethyl acetate ( 0.1
Conclusions
Fig.5: Rate constant and conversion versus temperature curves M) with sodium hydroxide ( 0.1 M) has been studied.
ijayarathne et al. 2014 as shown in Fig. 6. In this ofinvestigation,
The advancement hydrolysis
the saponification of
reaction was
Conversion varies from 52.6 at a temperature of observed by monitoring conductivity data under
Results
30 °C to 73.4reported by Wijayarathne
at a temperature et al.rate2014
of 40 °C. The ethyl acetate ( 0.1 M) with sodium hydroxide
different process conditions. Sodium hydroxide and
constant of the saponification reaction increased
were obtained under a flow rate of 6.67x10 from -7 ( 0.1 M)
sodium has impart
acetate been studied. Thetoadvancement
conductance the hydrolysis
0.228x10-3 m3 mol.sec to 1.081x10-3 m3/mol.sec with reaction. Experiments were performed at a pressure of
m3 s withtemperature
an increased a reactor volume
from of300.44x
°
C to1040m°C. The
-3 3
of the saponi cation reaction was observed by
1 atmosphere (atm) and a concentration of 0.1 M of
respectively. The change
NaOH conversion in conversion
reported with
by ijayarathne Current work (Volume monitoring
both reactants.conductivity data
The influence of under conditions
operating different
V 0.41 L)
et al. 2014 is higher (80 at 40 oC) ijayarathne et al. 2014 ( process conditions. Sodium hydroxide and
Volume V 0.44 L)
compared with the value obtained in present sodium acetate impart conductance to the

Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance
5 30 35 40 45 23
Temperature T (oC

mparison of NaOH conversion at different

ures of reaction mixture with literature data
athne et al. 2014)
 maximum factional conversion of 0.734 was
achieved at a temperature of 40 oC under studied
range of temperatures.
The specific rate constant also increases with Grau
increased temperature but not as profoundly as
does conversion.
Journal of Engineering
Journal andand
of Engineering Applied Sciences
Applied , Vol.Vol.
Sciences, 3, Issue (1) (1)
3, Issue November, 2016
May, 2016
Acknowledgement Schn
hydrolysis reaction. Experiments were the laboratory staff at King Khalid University,
The authors are thankful for the support of the
performed at a pressure of 1 atmosphere (atm) Abha KSA.staff at King Khalid University, Abha KSA.
laboratory Tsuj
and a concentration of 0.1 M of both reactants.
Nomenclature
The influence of operating conditions such Nomenclature Ulla
as reactant flow rate, residence time, and M Reactants concentration mol/liter
temperature on conversion and speci c rate V Volume of reactor m3
F Reactant flow rate m3/sec
constant has been analyzed. The research X Reaction conversion (-)
Wija
outcomes may be outlines as follows tR Residence time sec
k Rate constant m3/mol.sec
• Decline in the value of actual T Temperature o
C
•timeDecline in thewith
conductivity value
time of actual
signi time
es the t Time sec
conductivity
progress with time
of the hydrolysis signifies the
reaction. Wal
• progress of the hydrolysis
A steady-state conversionreaction.
value of Greek Symbols
• A and
72.7 steady-state
speci c rateconversion
constant e value
ual to of λ Conductivity Siemens/m
72.7%
1.27x10 -3
mand
3 specific
mol.sec rateachieved
were constantafter
equal
References
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1.27x10-3
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Al Mesfer, M.K. and Danish, M. Experimental Study of the Influence of Process Conditions on Tubular Reactor Performance
25