Challenging Students with Tracer Studies in a Laboratory CSTR

Authors

  • Robert B. Barat New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States
  • Irina Molodetsky New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-138755

Keywords:

Laboratory, Reactors and reactor design

Abstract

This paper describes our bench-scale student experiment with a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The conditions under which the CSTR approaches ideal mixing behavior are investigated using CaCl2(aq) as a tracer. The data are derived from transient solution conductivity measurements of the vessel effluent.  Adjustable parameters include feed and agitation rates, and liquid volume.  Students observe the unexpected result that reasonable mixing can occur in the absence of agitation solely due to the feed stream entering the reactor fluid. 

Author Biographies

Robert B. Barat, New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States

Robert Barat, PhD, is a professor emeritus of chemical engineering in the Otto H. York Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  He earned his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While teaching, he integrated his research interests into undergraduate experiments, including reaction kinetics and applied optics. 

Corresponding author: barat@njit.edu

Irina Molodetsky, New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States

Irina Molodetsky, PhD, is a senior university lecturer in the Otto H. York Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  She earned her doctorate from Princeton University. She worked as a Principal Materials Scientist at Schlumberger Limited and actively uses her R&E experience in the development of undergraduate courses

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Published

2025-09-16

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 4 (2025): Fall 2025

Section

Manuscripts