Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor

A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is a batch reactor equipped with an impeller or other mixing device to provide efficient mixing. In chemical engineering, the term CSTR is often used to refer to an ideal reactor in which all reactants are mixed perfectly and where the reactor volume is well mixed. The Basics of Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors A continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is a batch reactor equipped with an impeller or other mixing device to provide efficient mixing.

What is a continuously stirred tank reactor?

A continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is a reaction vessel in which reagents, reactants, and solvents flow into the reactor while reaction products flow out of the boat. Therefore, tank reactors are valuable tools for continuous chemical processing.

Continuously stirred tank reactors to allow for efficient mixing and consistent performance under steady-state conditions. Ideally, the output composition is the same as the composition of the material in the reactor, which is related to the residence time and reaction rate.

In cases where the reaction rate is too slow, two immiscible or viscous liquids are present, and high mixing rates are required, multiple continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) can be connected to form a cascade.

Continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) are based on ideal mixing and are, therefore, the exact opposite of piston flow reactors (PFR).

Batch Reactor vs. Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)

Generally, reactors can be classified as intermittent or semi-intermittent, or continuous. Periodic reactors have a large enough capacity with high enough temperature control and mixing capability to introduce reagents, reactants, and solvents in time and complete the reaction in time in the vessel.

Continuous reactors are usually small enough to allow for the uninterrupted introduction of reagents and reactants and the constant discharge of products. While intermittent reactors are ubiquitous and versatile in the chemical industry, the smaller capacity flow reactors offer many advantages. Advantages include the ability to handle higher concentrations of reactants and the ability to handle higher energy reactions due to excellent heat transfer properties. As a result, the CSTR is seen as an excellent adjunct to flow chemistry. 

The stainless steel reaction kettle (tank) body, lid, stirrer, and other parts are made of SUS304 or SUS316 stainless steel plate. The tank body is polished by fine mirror or electrolytic polishing, which conforms to the national hygiene standard. Heating and cooling devices can be configured to meet different process and production needs. 

Heat transfer forms include electric jacket heating, jacket external heat transfer, oil circulation equipment heating, refrigeration, steam heating, and coil heating. The equipment has reasonable structure design, advanced technology, durability, and reaction application in cosmetics, medicine, paint, chemical industry, pigment, resin, food, scientific research, and other industries.