Chemical process design and integration

exothermic reaction as a plot of equilibrium conversion against temperature. Again, the plot can be obtained from values of ΔGO over a range of temperatures and the equilibrium conversion calculated as discussed previously. If it is assumed that the reactor is operated adiabatically, and the mean molar heat capacity of the reactants and products is constant, then for a given starting temperature for the reaction Tin, the temperature of the reaction mixture will be proportional to the reactor conversion X for adiabatic operation (Figure 5.5a). As the conversion increases, the temperature rises because of the reaction exotherm. If the reaction could proceed as far as equilibrium, then it would reach the equilibrium temperature TE (Figure 5.5a). Figure 5.5b shows how equilibrium conversion can be increased by dividing the reaction into stages and cooling the reactants between stages