Modeling of the Residence Time Distribution and Application of the Continuous Two Impinging Streams Reactor in Liquid-Liquid Reactions

The two-phase monosulfonation of toluene, as an example of liquid-liquid reactions, has been conducted in a continuous two impinging stream reactor (TISR). The extent of reaction under different operating conditions has been determined. A comparison has been made between the performance capability of the TISR and that of continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR). Under identical conditions, including mean residence time, temperature, feed compositions and phase ratio, the impinging stream reactor has shown a higher efficiency. Finally, a stochastic model, based on Markov chain processes has been developed for the TISR, which describes the flow pattern and the residence time distribution (RTD) within the reaction system. The RTD model, combined with the kinetic expression, has been applied to calculate the conversion of toluene in the reactor. The predicted values for toluene conversion have been compared with those determined experimentally.