Chemical Reactors, Product Quality and the Environment

Summary

In the preceeding chapters the emphasis was on the rates of chemical processes, and particularly on the influence of various physical factors on process rates. These rates are not only important in relation to the dimensions of the equipment, but they also determine the selectivity of the chemical process. Aiming for higher selectivities is desirable for three reasons: to minimize raw materials’ consumption, to improve product quality and to reduce chances of pollution of the environment. There are therefore important similarities between requirements for the quality of products of the chemical industry and for the quality of waste streams. In addition to the quantitative methods that were demonstrated above, a qualitative engineering approach is also valuable. This is not always reconcilable with quantitative economic calculations. It is necessary to consider the quality of chemical operations in general, and of chemical reactors in particular. This is also a part of chemical reactor developement.