Chemical Reaction Engineering - Quiz Summary Chapters 1-6

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from chapters 1-6 of Chemical Reaction Engineering, focusing on definitions, equations, and notable scientists.

Chemical Reaction Engineering (CRE)

Engineering activity focused on exploiting chemical reactions on a commercial scale and designing chemical reactors.

Performance Equation

The central equation expressing output as a function of input, kinetics, and contacting pattern.

Kinetics

Study of the rate of chemical reactions; how fast a reaction proceeds.

Contacting Pattern

The flow and interaction of materials in a reactor, affecting mixing and reaction rates.

Homogeneous Reactions

Reactions involving uniform phases (either gas or liquid) where reactants and products are mixed at a molecular level.

Heterogeneous Reactions

Reactions that occur between different phases (e.g., solid, liquid, gas), often involving mass transfer limitations.

Reaction Rate Definitions

Different ways to express the rate of a reaction based on the unit volume, mass, or interfacial surface.

Elementary Reaction

A reaction whose rate law can be directly derived from its stoichiometry.

Non-Elementary Reaction

A reaction whose rate law does not correspond directly to stoichiometry and requires a more complex mechanism.

Molecularity

The number of reactant molecules involved in an elementary reaction.

Order of Reaction

The power to which the concentration of a reactant is raised in the rate law.

Arrhenius Law

Equation that expresses the temperature dependence of reaction rate constants, given by k = k₀·exp(-E/RT).

Steady-State Approximation (SSA)

Assumption that the concentration of short-lived intermediates remains constant over the duration of the reaction.

Michaelis-Menten Equation

Mathematical model describing the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, relating substrate concentration to reaction rate.

Batch Reactor

A reactor type where all ingredients are added at once, and the reaction occurs at a constant volume without input/output flow.

Plug Flow Reactor (PFR)

A reactor type where fluid moves in a single direction without mixing, preserving the order of reactants.

Mixed Flow Reactor (MFR)

Reactor where contents are completely mixed, resulting in uniform exit stream concentration.

Recycle Reactor

A reactor design where a portion of the outlet stream is returned to the inlet to enhance reaction efficiency.

Autocatalytic Reaction

A reaction where one of the products serves as a catalyst for the reaction, influencing its rate.

Activation Energy (E)

The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, affecting the rate constant k.

Rate Constant (k)

A proportionality constant in the rate equation, depending on temperature and the nature of the reaction.

Equilibrium Constant (K_c)

Ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium, derived from rate constants.

Significant Scientists in CRE

Key contributors to the field of chemical reaction engineering, including Arrhenius, Michaelis, and Levenspiel.