In a simple and fairly popular manner, the book presents the basic concepts of cybernetics and describes its methods and tools (computers) as applied to chemistry and chemical engineering. Separate chapters are devoted to the principles of a cybernetic approach to the analysis of chemical engineering processes and the development of new processes.

Detailed consideration is given to the use of mathematical models for processes and typical reactors used in chemical engineering, based on reaction kinetics and heat transfer. Special mention is made of scale-up procedures, and examples are provided of optimum designs.

The book has been written as a study aid for students in chemical engineering colleges or departments at polytechnic institutes. It may also be useful to researchers, engineers, and technicians working in chemical factories as well as in R&D and design organisations.

Prof. V. Kafarov, D.Sc. (Tech.), Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences and Honorary Doctor of the Technical Universities of Veszprém (Hungary) and Merseburg (GDR), is currently Head of the Chair of Chemical Engineering Cybernetics at the D. I. Mendeleev Chemical Engineering Institute in Moscow.

In 1938, he graduated with honours from the Department of Organic Technology at the S. M. Kirov Chemical Engineering Institute in Kazan as a chemical reaction engineer. In 1944, he was awarded the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences, and in 1945 he was appointed Docent. In 1952, he received his Doctor’s degree in Technical Sciences and was appointed Professor of Processes and Apparatus of Chemical Engineering.

His scientific interests lie in the theoretical principles of chemical engineering. In the USSR, Professor Kafarov pioneered a new scientific field within chemical engineering — the cybernetics of chemical engineering processes.

Professor Kafarov is the author of seven books and numerous scientific papers published in engineering journals.

Contents

Preface

Chapter I. Basic Concepts Of Cybernetics

I-1. Systems And Processes

I-2. Modelling

I-3. An Outline Of Information Theory

I-4. Basic Concepts And Definitions Of Control Theory

I-5. Main Types Of Controllers

I-6. Informational Characteristics Of Instruments For Industrial Control

I-7. Control Methods And Control Systems

I-8. Computer Control Of Chemical Engineering Systems

I-9. Computers As Tools Of Cybernetics

References

Chapter II. Use Of Cybernetic Methods In The Analysis Of Chemical Engineering Processes

II-1. Development Of A Mathematical Model For A Chemical Engineering Process

II-2. Standard Mathematical Models Of Fluid Flows In Reactors

II-3. Basic Steps In Mathematical Process Modelling

II-4. Process Optimisation Through Mathematical Models

II-5. Development Of Mathematical Models By Experiment And Statistics — Statistical Optimisation

References

Chapter III. Mathematical Models Of Unit Processes Of Chemical Engineering

III-1. Thermal Processes

III-2. Mass Transfer Processes

III-3. Use Of Mechanical Agitators For Liquid Media

References

Chapter IV. Mathematical Models Of Chemical Reactors

IV-1. Basic Concepts Of Chemical Kinetics

IV-2. Mathematical Models Of Isothermal Reactors

IV-3. Reactor Design From Response Curves, Neglecting System Macrostate — Reactor Effectiveness Factor

IV-4. Effectiveness Of Various Reactors

IV-5. Yield, Selectivity, And Fractional Conversion Of Various Reactors

IV-6. Plug Flow And Complete Mixing Or Complete Mixing And Plug Flow In Series — Short-Circuiting

IV-7. Reactor Design From Response Curves With Allowance For System Macrostate

IV-8. Mathematical Models Of Reactors With Heat Transfer

IV-9. Thermal Stability Of Chemical Reactors

IV-10. Determining An Optimum Temperature Profile For Polytropic Reactors

IV-11. Autothermal Reactors

References

Chapter V. Chemical Kinetic Experiments And Interpretation Of Laboratory Kinetic Data

V-1. Integral Method

V-2. Differential Method

V-3. Deduction Of Reaction Order By A Differential–Integral Method (Method Of Time Ratios)

V-4. Analysis Of Kinetics And Selectivity For Complex Reactions (Method Of Hyperbolas) — Choice Of A Reactor Model

V-5. Analysis Of Kinetic Data By Semilogarithmic Anamorphism

V-6. Rate Constant As A Function Of Temperature

V-7. Optimum Observation Time Schedule In Kinetic Experiments

V-8. Controlling Steps For Heterogeneous Reactions

V-9. Deduction Of Kinetic Parameters For Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions

References

Chapter VI. Macrokinetics Experiments And Interpretation Of Pilot–Plant Kinetic Data

VI-1. General

VI-2. Scale–Up In Reactor Design

VI-3. Use Of Experimental Data For Reactor Operation Analysis And Optimal Design

VI-4. Control Of Reactors

References

Chapter VII. Analysis And Synthesis Of Chemical Engineering Systems

VII-1. Calculation Of Material And Energy Balances For Chemical Engineering Systems

VII-2. Calculation Of Chemical Engineering Systems On The Basis Of Mathematical Models Of System Elements

VII-3. Multilevel Optimisation Of Chemical Engineering Systems

VII-4. Computer–Aided Design Of Chemical Manufacture

References