Abstract
The current study deals with the maximization of NaOH conversion using step-wise regression analysis in a CSTR. The dependence of temperature, volume, agitation rate, and feed rate on reactor performance is examined as well as interaction outcome of the operating parameters. The concentration of the reactants was fixed at 0.1 M. The steady state conversion with respect to NaOH is analyzed to find the process performance. Step-wise regression analysis is used to remove an insignificant factors. The agitation rate (X-2) and feed rate (X-3) proved to have an insignificant influence on the reaction conversion at a significant level (alpha) of 5%. Consequently, the temperature (X-1) and reaction volume (X-4) were found to have significant effect on the reaction conversion using step-wise regression. The temperature and volume dependence on steady state NaOH conversion were described by a polynomial model of 2nd and 3rd order. A maximal steady state conversion equal to 63.15% was obtained. No improvement was found in reaction conversion with 3rd order polynomial, so the second order polynomial is considered as the optimum reaction conversion modal. It may be recommended that 2nd order regression polynomial model adequately represents the experimental data very well.