Plug Flow Reactor Design in DWSIM | Gas-Phase Isomerization of n-Butane

In this video, we solve a plug flow reactor (PFR) design problem using DWSIM for a gas-phase isomerization reaction.

🔹 Problem Statement

The irreversible gas-phase isomerization of n-butane to isobutane follows first-order kinetics:

𝑟𝐴=𝑘𝐶𝐴 ​
where the rate constant is
k = 0.0045 s⁻¹.

A feed stream of pure n-butane enters a plug flow reactor at:
Flow rate: 120 kmol/h
Temperature: 350 °C
Pressure: 10 bar

The reactor operates under steady-state, isothermal conditions, and the gas mixture behaves ideally.

The objective is to determine the reactor volume required to achieve 90% conversion of n-butane using DWSIM.

🔹 What this video covers
Plug Flow Reactor setup in DWSIM
Kinetic reaction definition for gas-phase systems
Interpretation of conversion and reactor sizing results

🔹 Software Used

DWSIM (Open-Source Process Simulator)

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