ABB Instrumentation
MOD 30ML Demonstration Guide
INDUSTRY: Chemical / Pharmaceutical
REACTOR.DOC 11/8/99
Batch Reactor Demonstration
Unit Reactor Control
Introduction
Control of a batch reactor includes sequential and continuous elements, and tight control of the reaction
temperature. Ideally, only one device is used to perform both types of control, with a common local display
interface providing complete process information. The following demonstration will show:
•
integration of automatic sequential and continuous control
•
front panel display of sequence steps
•
cascade control
•
front panel recipe selection and entry of recipe data
•
manual control of sequence steps through front panel
The Control System
The batch reaction is conducted according to a definite time-temperature cycle. Figure 1 illustrates a typical
cycle of many industrial processes.
Reactants are added to the reactor at room temperature; the reaction mass is heated to reaction temperature;
the reaction is carried out to form products; the batch is cooled; and the reactor is emptied. Total batch time
in reactors used in the manufacture of PVC or polystyrene, for example, is approximately fourteen to
eighteen hours. The progression of the batch cycle is controlled by the sequence operation. It may
sometimes be necessary for the operators to pause, stop, or manually advance the cycle to another step.
