Abstract: In this paper, a three-distribution-parameter general model for reactor network synthesis is proposed. The three distribution parameters refer to side feeding, recycling and bypassing.Because they can greatly influence the concentration and residence time profile within the reactors, which make the proposed general model compact and efficient. The synthesis problem can be formulated as an optimization problem based on this general model. By orthogonal collocation on finite element discretization approach, the original model is transformed into a NLP problem. After optimization,the optimal solution of distribution parameters can be obtained. Then the reactor type varying from maximum mixing to minimum mixing and the configuration including series and parallel connection in the reactor network can be directly decided according to the optimal solution of distribution parameters. From the example study, it can be concluded that these three distribution parameters can give a comprehensive reflection of optimal characteristics of reactor network under various reaction kinetics and an objective formulation, and a practical network can be easily obtained from the optimal solutions.