RECYCLE LOOPS PRACTICAL

Table Of Content
Summary
The aim of the practical is to observe the operation of the recycle loop apparatus and to use
certain principles which may allow the observations under certain conditions (principles are
mass balance and energy balance may be incorporated as well) in a steady state and
unsteady state scenario. The unit ran under the operation of a recycle loop being present
and then also without the recycle being present for observation purposes. The actual
purpose of the practical is to achieve a brief understanding of thermodynamic principles
while putting various variables into consideration, such as temperature and pressure.
Without the recycle, the temperature was kept constant (room standard temperature)
which has a constant result on all other variables if the average is compared to the different
runs undergone. With the recycle loop being present, there is going to be a change in the
temperature, since the recycle loop consists of a boiler in it. The experiment is done in a
small scale setting in order to get an immediate response for evaluation to go on in a shorter
amount of time. Ultimately, the flow rate is also observed during the runs that were
undergone during the practical.
Introduction
As stated previously, the practical solely relies on an introduction of thermodynamic concepts, and
the introduction to the operation of recycle loop units. The student is better informed with a live
setting, small scale unit which initially does not incorporate the recycle stream, and then with the
recycle stream considered in order to observe the difference in certain variables throughout the
practical. The unit is allowed to run more than once in order to obtain an average reading. The
observations that are taken into consideration are that of flow rate and as well as temperature. This
practical is of the observation of the flow rate of water in a multi-unit process with a recycle stream
not being present initially, and with a recycle present in order to compare and contrast the
observations taken. The recycle loop has a heater within it, which mixes the cold water entering the
system from the main supply and the warm water from the recycle loop (which consists of a
circulating pump), this will obviously have an alteration in the temperature, which is another
variable which we are taking into consideration. The aim of this practical is to observe temperature
and flowrate of units with a recycle stream being present and without a recycle stream in order to
compare and contrast the differences and the importance of a recycle stream. The purpose of doing
this practical is to have an idea of the characteristics of the recycle loop under steady state and
unsteady state conditions and to also have an idea of thermodynamic principles. In rather simple
terms, recycling can be defined as the reprocessing or the conversion of waste material into a new
and useful product. In the process of recycle, waste material is either mixed with the raw material
entering the process or it may just stand alone as an individual stream that is being recycled back
into the system. A loop in the system has to be introduced when the process is continuously
occurring, hence, the idea of recycle has to be introduced in these types of processes, where the
same process happens over again over a given period of time. The Armfield Recycle loop system was
designed in order to demonstrate practically how a recycle loop operates and to also get a practical
feel on a small scale on the ideas of mass and energy balance.
Nomenclature
Name Symbol Units Type Definition
Inlet Flow Rate U1 m/s Calculated U1
Inlet Mass Flow Q m1 Kg/s Calculated Q m1= pQ v 1
Rate
Inlet T1 ⁰C Calculated The
Temperature temperature at
which the water
is measured at
the inlet
Inlet Volume Q v1 3
m /s Calculated Q v1
Flow Rate
g/Outlet Flow U3 m/s Calculated U3
Velocity
Outlet Mass Q m3 Kg/ s Calculated Q m3= pQ v 2
Flow Rate
Outlet T3 ⁰C Recorded The
Temperature temperature of
water which is
measured at
outlet
Density of P Kg/mᴲ Referenced Density of the
Water water entering
the system
Diameter of d m Provided At the point of
Pipe flow
measurements,
this is the same
for of the flow
meters
Outlet Mass Qm ₃ Kg/ s Calculated Qm ₃= pQv ₃
Flow Rate
Outlet T₃ ⁰C Recorded Temperature of
Temperature water
measured at
outlet
Outlet Volume Qv ₃ mᴲ /s Calculated Qv ₃
Flow Rate
Recycle Flow V₂ m/s Calculated Velocity at the
Velocity Recycle
Recycle Mass Qm ₂ Kg/ s Calculated Qm ₂= pQv ₂
Flow Rate
Recycle T₂ ⁰C Recorded Temperature of
Temperature Water in
Recycle Loop
Recycle Volume Qv ₂ mᴲ /s Calculated Recycle Stream
Flow Rate volume flow
rate
Recorded Inlet F₁ l/min Recorded Flow Rate at
Flow Rate Inlet
Recorded F₃ l/min Recorded Flow Rate at
Outlet Flow Outlet
Rate
Recorded F₂ l/min Recorded Flow Rate at
Recycle Flow Recycle Loop
Rate
Time t s Used in Theory Time taken for
a given volume
of water to pass
a specific point
Volume V mᴲ /s Used in Theory Volume of
water passing a
specific point
Volume Flow Qv mᴲ /s Qv
Rate
Theory
In the engineering world, the process of recycle takes into consideration a certain amount of
material from the product stream which has not been converted fully, so as a result, it is taken back
to the initial process of the unit operation, in order to combine with the feed stream for the
undertaking of whatever process is being achieved all over again. This practical can be used as a
visual representation of the idea of a recycle loop and as well as in a unit operation, mass and energy
balance is achieved, in this practical, the same ideas are portrayed on a smaller scale. The whole
baseline of this practical is to give experience to technicians on the work of heat exchange and as
well as thermodynamics in either transient or steady conditions. The change in temperature is
caused by the recycle loop which has a heat exchanger within it which can be controlled. Mass
balance (also known as material balance) is an application of the conservation of mass in the
extensive analysis of unit operations, by taking into consideration materials that enter and leave a
system. In this process, mass flow rates may be identified which might have been unknown or
difficult to get a strict value. (Felder. M and Rousseau. RW, 2005 Edition, Elementary Principles of
chemical Processes)

The chemical equation of a mass balance without a chemical equation is as follows:

Input = Output + Accumulation

The equation is what is being expressed mathematically, the deposit in the input stream is
essentially what is going to be coming out of the unit in the output stream in addition to what has
been accumulated within the unit, that being the accumulation term.

Energy balance in reference to an economic stature is the processes within an organization that refer
back to energy. Energy balance derives from an eco-balance and has the potential to analyze and
approve the emergence, transmission and use of energy resources within an organization with a
great amount of detail.

The equation for an energy balance is as follows:

Energy = energy intake – energy expenditure

This concept of energy may seem fairly simple, but it may introduce some hardships because it isn’t
as simple as one may portray to be. A simple concept may be used to illustrate this analogy, we, as
human beings, have a body weight which is influenced by the amount of calories you consume (this
may be referred to as our energy intake). And our energy output is released according to the time
we take on physical activities and as well as the amount of rest of we get, this is what ultimately
energy balance is.(Felder. M and Rousseau. RW, 2005 Edition, Elementary Principles of chemical
Processes)
Experimental Method
1. Firstly, it has to be identified that the components are placed on a support plinth, where the
different units are placed so that the overall process could take place.
2. The supply of water is entering the process through a through pipe which has been inserted in a
laboratory faucet, bringing in cold water into the system.
3. The system contains a recycle loop which consists of a circulating pump transferring the water
from the through pipe which once the liquid has passed through each and every unit in the
system, it is returned back to the through pipe from the initial phase (recycle purposes).
4. Since the recycle consists of a heat exchanger (heater), there will be a difference in temperature
between the water from faucet inlet stream and the water from the recycle loop, ultimately,
these 2 streams combine resulting in slightly warm water.
5. The flow of the water from the circulating pump can be controlled by a flow control valve, this
circulating valve consists of an external bypass with a loading valve incorporated, which may be
turned on or off by the console.
6. The water heater contains a heater within, which is placed within insulated tube to allow the
trapping of heat within the tube. The water flows along the surface of the heater so that the
heating process may take viably. The heater also consists of an on and off switch for the
observations of different steps within the system.
7. In order to permit the control of the amount of substance that flows through, a pair of self-
sealing fittings permit a pipe of a short length to be connected in series with the recycle loop.
The state of connection allows various lengths of tubing to be connected in series with the loop.
8. The temperatures at the inlet, outlet, and the recycle loop are recorded and observed
9. Ultimately, since flow rate is another variable which is taken into consideration in this practical,
the inlet, outlet and recycle loop flow rates are also recorded and observed
Schematic Diagram of the Loop
 Results

Table
Inlet Recycle Outlet Inlet Flow Rate Recycle Loop Outlet Flow Inlet Recycle Outlet
Flow Loop Flow Flow Rate Rate Flow Loop Flow
Stream Flow Rate Rate Qv₁ Qv₂ Rate Flow Rate Rate
F2 Qv₃ Qm₂
F1 F3 Qm₁ Qm₃
1,30 3,77 1,29 0,00002167 0,00006283 0,0000251 0,0216 0,0627 0,0250
0
1,28 3,76 1,28 0,00002133 0,000062667 0,0000213 0,0213 0,0624 0,0213
3
1,55 3,77 1,54 0,00002583 0,00006283 0,0000256 0,0258 0,0627 0,0256
7
1,28 3,75 1,27 0,00002133 0,00006250 0,0000211 0,0623 0,0623 0,0211
7

Graphs
Graph1

Recycle loop flowrates vs outlet flowrates

1.8
1.6
1.4
Outlet Flowrate (l/min)

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
3.745 3.75 3.755 3.76 3.765 3.77 3.775
Recycle loop Flowrates (l/min)

Graph 1 represents the relationship between the recycle loop flow rate against the outlet
stream flow rate. This relationship is shown to directly proportional against one another. As the
Outlet stream flow rate increases, so does the recycle flow rate as well. The recycle loop
maintained a constant flow rate since what goes in the system has to be equal to whatever
comes out of the stream, hence a constant recycle loop value (input = output).
Graph 2

Recycle loop flowrates vs Inlet Flowrates

0.00003

0.000025
Inlet flow rates (mᴲ/s)

0.00002

0.000015

0.00001

0.000005

0
0.00006245 0.0000625 0.00006255 0.0000626 0.00006265 0.0000627 0.00006275 0.0000628 0.00006285
Recycle loop flow rates (mᴲ/s)

Graph 2 represents the relationship between the recycle loop against the Inlet flowrate. The
pair shows that the two variables are directly proportional to one another, as one variable
increases, the other does so as well. This relationship initiates constant volumetric flowrate
increase

Graph 3

Inlet Flowrate vs Outlet Flowrate

1.8
1.6
1.4
Outlet flow rate (l/min)

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1.25 1.3 1.35 1.4 1.45 1.5 1.55 1.6
Inlet flow rate (l/min)

Graph 3 represents the relationship between the inlet flowrate against the outlet flowrate, as
shown in the graph, these variables are directly proportional to one another, as the inlet
flowrate increases, so does the outlet flowrate. Since no reaction occurs within the system,
whatever goes into it must be equal to whatever comes out, hence input = output
 Discussion

The purpose of the experiment solely relied on the observation of the effects which the recycle
loop had on the total mass flowrate within the system. Graph 2 depicts the relationship
between the inlet flowrate against the recycle loop flowrate, as observed previously on the
graph, this relationship was found to be directly proportional to one another. This illustrates
that the law of conservation of mass is respected and taken into consideration in this practical
since the inlet = outlet. Taking it further, it was also observed that the inlet flowrate (F1) and the
outlet flowrate had roughly the same constant flowrate, still respecting and taking into
consideration, the law of conservation of mass. Again, as already observed above, Graph 3,
which looks at the inlet flowrate variable against the outlet variable. This relationship is also one
of the same, it is directly proportional, which gives further confirmation of the fact that this
entire practical revolves around the respectability of the law.

Conclusion
As the practical was being conducted, it can be concluded with numerous backing that the law
of conservation of mass was fully respected throughout. As the total mass that served as an
input to the system was equivalent to the total mass that was expected as the outlet, resulting
in a successful study of the recycle loop, and foundation has been constructed on the learning of
the fundamentals of the recycle loop.

Appendices
Table: Before Recycle Incorporated

F1(l/min) F2(l/min) F3(l/min) T1(⁰C) T2(⁰C) T3(⁰C)

1,30 0 1,29 26,6 26,3 26,8
1,28 0 1,28 26,6 26,2 26,8
1,55 0 1,54 26,6 26,2 26,8

Table: After Recycle Incorporated

F1(l/min) F2(l/min) F3(l/min) T1(⁰C) T2(⁰C) T3(⁰C)

1,30 3,77 1,29 26,6 26,3 26,9
1,28 3,76 1,28 26,6 26,2 26,9
1,55 3,77 1,54 26,6 26,2 26,9
 Table: Density of Water

Temp of Water (⁰C) Temp of Water (K) Density of Water(kg/mᴲ)

1 274.15 999,9015
2 275.15 999.9429
3 276.15 999.9672
4 277.15 999.9750
5 278.15 999.9668
6 279.15 999.9432
7 280.15 999.9045
8 281.15 999.8512
9 282.15 999.7838
10 283.15 999.7026
11 284.15 999.6081
12 285.15 999.5004
13 286.15 999.3801
14 287.15 999.2474
15 288.15 999.1026
16 289.15 998.9460
17 290.15 998.7779
18 291.15 998.5986
19 292.15 998.4082
20 293.15 998.2071
21 294.15 997.9955
22 295.15 997.7735
23 296.15 997.5415
24 297.15 997.2995
25 298.15 997.0479
26 299.15 996.7867
27 300.15 996.5162
Calculations
Temperature of Inlet flow: 23⁰C = 296.15K

Density of Water of Inlet = 1000Kg/mᴲ

Volumetric flowrate: Q v= V
T

Mass flowrate: Q m= p Q v

Q v 1 = Recorded flowrate/60000

Q v 1 = 1,30/60000 = 0,00002167

Q v 1 = 1,28/60000 = 0,00002133

Q v 1 = 1,55/60000 = 0,00002583

Q v 1 = 1,28/60000 = 0,00002133

Qm 1 = pQ v

Qm 1 = (1000)(0,00002167) = 0,0216

Qm 1 = (1000)(0,00002133) = 0,0213

Qm 1 = (1000)(0,00002583) = 0,0258

Qm 1 = (1000)(0,00002133) = 0,0623

Q v 2 = Recorded flowrate/60000

Q v 2 = 3,77/60000 = 0,00006283

Q v 2 = 3,76/60000 = 0,00006267

Q v 2 = 3,77/60000 = 0,00006283

Q v 2 = 3,75/60000 = 0,00006250
Qm 2 = pQ v

Qm 2 = (1000)(0,00006283) = 0,0627

Qm 2 = (1000)(0,00006267) = 0,0624

Qm 2 = (1000)(0,00006283) = 0,0627

Qm 2 = (1000)(0,00006250) = 0,0623

Q v 3 = Recorded flowrate/60000

Q v 3 = 1,29/60000 = 0,00002510

Q v 3 = 1,28/60000 = 0,00002133

Q v 3 = 1,54/60000 = 0,00002567

Q v 3 = 1,27/60000 = 0,00002117

Qm 3 = pQ v

Qm 3 = (1000)(0,00002510) = 0,0250

Qm 3 = (1000)(0,00002133) = 0,0213

Qm 3 = (1000)(0,00002567) = 0,0256

Qm 3 = (1000)(0,00002117) = 0,0211
Temperature Readings
T1 T2 T3
26,6 + 273,15 = 299,75K 25,5 + 273,15 = 298,65K 26,9 + 273,15 =300,05K
26,6 + 273,15 = 299,75K 25,4 + 273,15 = 298,55K 26,9 + 273,15 = 300,05K
26,6 + 273,15 = 299,75K 25,5 + 273,15 = 298,65K 26,9 + 273,15 =300,05K

Average Temperature
299 ,75+ 299 ,75+299 , 75
T₁= =299 , 75 K
3
298 ,65+ 298 ,55+ 298 ,65
T₂= =298 ,61 K
3
300 ,05+ 300 , 05+300 , 05
T₃= =300 , 05 K
3

Temperature Density

T₁:
299,75K 996,7867Kg/mᴲ
299,75K 996,7867Kg/mᴲ
299,75K 996,7867Kg/mᴲ
T₂:
298,65K 997,0479Kg/mᴲ
298,55K 997,0479Kg/mᴲ
298,65K
T₃:
300,05K 995,0292Kg/mᴲ
300,05K 995,0292Kg/mᴲ
300,05K 995,0292Kg/mᴲ
References

1. .(Felder. M and Rousseau. RW, 2005 Edition, Elementary Principles of chemical Processes)
2. [Link]
3. MUT Practical Manual Department of Chem Eng II