13: Batch or continuous?

Question 1

What is a continuous process?

Answer 1

Bulk materials needed in large amounts made all the time

Question 2

What is a batch process?

Answer 2

Not made all the time

Question 3

Example of continuous process

Answer 3

Haber Process making Ammonia
The reactants needed are continually fed into a reaction vessel, where they react together. The ammonia produced is collected all the time

Question 4

Example of a batch process

Answer 4

Wine

Grapes are pressed to release grape juice, which is then fermented to produce wine.

Question 5

What are speciality chemicals?

Answer 5

High value chemicals needed in small amounts

Question 6

How chemicals are extracted

Answer 6

Extracted from plants

Made synthetically using chemical reactions

Question 7

Properties of batch process

Answer 7

low cost
low rate of production
frequent shut down times
large work force needed
low ease of automating the process

Question 8

Properties of continuous process

Answer 8

high cost
high rate of production
rare shut down times
small workforce needed
high ease of automating the process

Question 9

Steps to extract chemicals from plants

Answer 9

Crush the plant material
Dissolve in a suitable solvent and then filter
Boil to evaporate the solvent
Separate the chemical by chromatography