Application of Mechanistic Design Model for Sustainable and Effective CSTR Operation during Titanium Dioxide Production

Abstract

This study optimizes the production of titanium dioxide, a crucial material in various industries, through hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Using mathematical modelling and MATLAB simulation, the research determines the ideal CSTR design specifications and reactor thickness to ensure efficient, sustainable, and corrosion-resistant operation which improves the lifespan of the reaction media. The CSTR design models were developed from the first principle of mass and energy balance and simulated using MATLAB R2023a version to obtain the CSTR design specification and the relationship between the fractional conversion of the feed materials and the functional parameters of the reactor. At a maximum fractional conversion of 0.9, the CSTR volume, height, diameter, space-time, space velocity, the quantity of heat generated as well as the quantity of heat generated per unit volume of the reactor were obtained as 26.6884m³, 5.1416m, 2.5708m, 4.1021sec., 0.2438sec^-1., 806.7600J/s, and 30.2288J/m³s respectively. The mechanistic design model showed that a thickness of 6.500mm for the reactor body (cylindrical) and head (standard ellipsoidal) is specifically recommended for stainless steel type (304) for construction. Also, the design of the CSTR agitator height and diameter were obtained as 4.6416m and 1.5708m respectively. This article showed that the design and thickness specification of the CSTR is crucial for optimum, continuous and sustainability of titanium dioxide production.