Chemical Reaction Engineering: Reactor Design and Catalysis

Real-world chemical reactors rarely behave like perfect, idealized laboratory models. To design safe, efficient, and scalable chemical processes, engineers must understand how fluid dynamics and surface chemistry interact in non-ideal systems. This text-based course guides you through the essential theories of Chemical Reaction Engineering (CRE), focusing on non-ideal flow patterns and heterogeneous catalysis. You will transition from basic reactor concepts to analyzing complex, real-world systems, gaining the analytical skills needed to diagnose performance bottlenecks and optimize reactor yields. What you'll learn: Understand the foundational principles of ideal versus non-ideal reactor behavior; Analyze residence time distribution (RTD) data to diagnose channeling, bypassing, and dead zones; Evaluate solid-catalyzed reaction mechanisms, including adsorption, surface reaction, and desorption steps; Calculate internal and external mass transfer limitations in heterogeneous catalytic systems; Apply modern process safety concepts and environmental considerations to catalytic reactor design; Solve practical reactor engineering problems using systematic, step-by-step mathematical models. Starting with key terminology and the physics of fluid flow, the course moves systematically through RTD modeling, catalyst kinetics, and mass transfer effects, concluding with practical design scenarios. This course is designed for chemical engineering students, junior process engineers, and technical professionals seeking a clear, foundational understanding of reactor design. No advanced background in industrial catalysis is required. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in modern chemical reaction engineering.