CHE3044F, 2013

TUTORIAL 4

page 1

CHE3044F, 2013 : Reactor Design 1 : TUTORIAL 4

1. (adapted from Fogler, 2006, P3-11). The liquid phase reaction
2 4 CH2 OCH2 + H2 O CH2 OHCH2 OH

H SO

in the presence of sulphuric acid (H2 SO4 ). The initial concentration of ethylene oxide (CH2 OCH2 ) is 1 [lbmol.f t 3 ] and of water 3.47 [lbmol.f t 3 ]. The reaction rate constant is k = 0.1 [L.mol 1 .s 1 ] at 300 K with an activation energy of E = 12500 [cal.mol 1 ]. The reaction is elementary as written. (a) Determine the rate equation as a function of conversion only (b) Calculate the residence time at to achieve a 90% conversion in a CSTR at i. 300 K and ii. at 350 K. 2. (adapted from Fogler, 2006, P3-11&12). For the isothermal, isobaric catalytic gas phase oxidation 1 C2 H4 + 2 O2 CH2 OCH2 the feed enters a ow reactor at 6 atm and 260 o C. Assume that the reaction is elementary, determine the reaction rate equation as a function of conversion only for (a) Stoichiometric feed of ethene and pure oxygen (b) Stoichiometric feed in which air replaces the pure oxygen (note, it is common in these situation when it says stoichiometric feed that the reactants are fed in their stoichiometric proportions, in this case it is C2 H4 and O2 , and thus the N2 will be in huge excess.) (c) Determine the dierence between the reactor sizes at a conversion of 99% using the same molar ow rate of ethene to each reactor. (i.e. everything remains the same, except that (b) uses air). 3. (adapted from Fogler, 2006, P3-13). Nitroanalyine is formed by the liquid phase reaction of orthonitrochlorobenzene (ONCB) with aqueous ammonia, C6 H4 (NO2 )(Cl ) + 2NH3 C6 H4 (NO2 )(NH2 ) + NH4 Cl The reaction is rst order in both ONCB and ammonia with a rate constant of k = 0.0017 [m3 .kmol 1 .mi n1 ] at 188 o C and has an activation energy of E = 11273 [cal.mol 1 ]. The initial entering concentration of ONCB and ammonia are 1.8 [kmol.m3 ] and 6.6 [kmol.m3 ]. (a) Write the rate equation for this reaction in terms of concentrations (b) Set up a stoichiometric table for a ow system (c) Write the rate equation as a function of conversion (d) Would the rate equation for a batch reactor be the same or dierent than for a ow system (see (c)). Substantiate your answer. (e) What is the initial rate of reaction at (i) 188 o C, (ii) 25 o C, (iii) 288 o C

CHE3044F, 2013

TUTORIAL 4

page 2

(f) What is the rate of reaction at a conversion of 90% at (i) 188 o C, (ii) 25 o C, (iii) 288 o C (g) What is the size of the CSTR to achieve 90% conversion when the molar feed rate of ONCB is 2 [mol.mi n1 ] at 188 o C. 4. (adapted from Fogler, 2006, P3-15). The gas phase reaction
1 2 N2 3 +2 H2 NH3

is carried out isothermally. The feed consists of 50 mol% H2 and 50 mol% N2 at a pressure of 16.4 atm and 227 o C. The rate equation is elementary for the reaction as written. (a) Write the rate equation as a function of conversion only for a constant volume batch reactor (b) Write the rate equation as a function of conversion only for a constant pressure ow reactor (c) Determine the concentration of all species when the conversion of H2 is 60% in (i) ow reactor and (ii) batch reactor. What is the conversion of N2 in each case. (Do you expect it to be the same of dierent between the two reactors? Think carefully about the denition of conversion in each case) (d) Determine the limiting reactant and the maximum conversion of the other reactant for a (i) ow reactor and (ii) batch reactor. (Do you expect it to be the same of dierent between the two reactors? Think carefully about the denition of conversion in each case)