In this work, a graphical method of identifying opportunities
for
improving the production rate from batch reactors is presented. On
the basis of this approach, a modification to the standard procedure
of batch operation is also developed. It is found that by modifying
the initial concentration of the batch, overall production performance
may be improved. This may be achieved in practice by retaining a fraction
of the final product volume and mixing with fresh feed material for
the next batch cycle. This result is counterintuitive to the normal
method of batch operation. Arguments demonstrating how the graphical
method may be used to gain insight into alternative methods of operation
are also briefly discussed. As such, the bypassing of feed may also
be used to improve production rate for exit concentrations not associated
with the optimal concentration. The graphical approach also allows
optimization of batches where only experimental data are given. The
method is demonstrated through several industrial examples and is
successfully shown to improve over the standard method of batch operation.