Professional Documents
Culture Documents
problems
have
been
covered
in
various
lectures.
A
few
of
these
with
problem
statements
with
solutions
are
below.
rA' ( obs ) R 2 c
= 12 = 3 (1 coth 1 1)
[1]
De C As
Suppose 11 and 12 are the Thiele Moduli at Run 1 and Run 2 with rA1 and rA 2 being the
corresponding observed reaction rates, R1 and R2 being the corresponding radii. Using Eq. (1), we
obtain
rAs' c
R1
11 DeC As R1 R 0.01m
= = 11 = 1 12 = 12 = 1012 [3]
12 '
r c R2 R2 0.001m
R2 As
DeC As
Using Eqs. (2) & (3) and introducing the information in Table 1, we obtain
12 coth 12 1
0.05 = [4]
1012 coth (1012 ) 1
Solving which gives 12 = 1.65 and 11 = 1012 = 16.5 . The corresponding effectiveness factors
obtained using Eq. (1) are
2 = 0.856;1 = 0.182
Part (b)
Suppose that operating at an effectiveness factor of 0.95 is sufficient to eliminate most of internal
diffusion resistance.
Using Eq. (1), that is, 12 = 3 (1 coth 1 1) , 13 = 0.9 , where subscript 3 refers to the radius R3 at
kC A
The rate law, in concentration units is rA = where, CA is the concentration of CO2
1 + K 2CD + K 3C A
(species A) and CD is the concentration of CO at the surface. The constants
K 2 = 4.15 *109 cm3 / mol and K3 = 3.38 *105 cm3 / mol . k is the rate constant. Diffusivity of the
species in the catalyst is given by DeA = 0.1cm 2 / sec .
Solution
Weisz-Prater parameter (CWP) under the given conditions is
rA' ( obs ) c R 2 4.67 *109 *0.7 2
CWP = = 5
= 1.88*103 << 1 [1]
DeAC As 0.1*1.22*10
indicating no internal diffusion limitations present. However the experimental observations suggest
otherwise. Poor prediction by the Weisz-Prater method is due to the fact that CWP in Eq. (1) uses
Thiele modulus expression for a first order reaction when the actual reaction is not first-order.
Therefore, this problem warrants the use of Generalized Thiele Modulus.
Assuming equimolar counter diffusion i.e.; DeA = DeD and that concentration of CO at surface
CDs 0 , the rate expression can be rewritten as,
kCA
rA' =
[2]
(1 + 2K2CAs ) + ( K3 2K2 ) CA
Assuming the pellet was infinitely long with C A,eq = 0 , the modified parameter
2
rA' ( obs ) R 2 c ( rAs' )
= = C As
Solution
P 4.94
The inlet concentration C Ab 0 = = = 0.113gmol / l
RT 0.082 533
Mole balance for the reactor is given by
d 2 CAb dC
DeA 2
U Ab k " Sa b CAb
2
=0 [1]
dz dz
where is the overall effectiveness factor. It should be noted that in general, for a second order
reaction explicit expression for is usually not available and will be a function of the local
concentration of species A and as a result will be a function of position as well. Assuming the flow
rate through the bed is very large and the axial diffusion can be neglected, that is,
d 2 C Ab dC Ab
DeA 2
<< U , Eq (1) can be simplified to
dz dz
dCAb S C2
k " a b Ab = 0 [2]
dz U
along with the condition at the entrance of the reactor C Ab = C Ab 0 @ z = 0. Analytical solution for
Eq. (2) is usually unavailable due to the dependence of the overall effectiveness factor whose
explicit dependence on the concentration is a priori unknown. However, the reaction under the
specified conditions is internal diffusion controlling. In this regime, the overall effectiveness factor
may be approximated to the effectiveness factor and assumed constant. Under this approximation,
Eq. (2) can integrated to obtain the length required to achieve the desired conversion as
U 1
L= " 1 [3]
b k Sa CAb 0 1 X
Using the expression for 2 for a second order reaction, the effectiveness factor
12 12 12
2 3 2 3 2 3
= = = 7
= 9.47 108
n + 1 n 2 + 1 2 2 + 1 2.59 10
Note that the Thiele Modulus will be a function of position. For the chosen parameters, as the
variation with respect to position is negligible, the Thiele Modulus is evaluated at the inlet
concentration and is assumed constant. << 1 implies strongly internal diffusion limited, therefore
approximating = 9.47 108
U X 4 0.81
L= "
= 8 6
= 3.62 102 m
b k Sa C Ab 0 1 X 9.47 10 2.110 51 410 0.113 (1 0.81)
A( g ) + 2 B(l ) C (l )
which is first order in A. kL and are expected to be about 10-4 m/s and 200 m2/m3 respectively. Da =
2.5x10-9 m2/s. A choice of liquid phase reactants is available with different rate constants. Determine
what value of k will suit the purpose.
Solution:
Given:
kL = 1 x 10-4 m/s; = 200 m2/m3; Da = 2.5x10-9 m2/s
Solution:
Given:
VL = 132 cm2
RAVL = 1.23*105 mol / sec
CA* = H * pO2 = 5.8*107 mol / cm3
DA = 2.1*105 cm 2 / sec
CBb = 0.01mol / cm3
We consider fast reaction regime, for an given information which suggest that, kL various with RPM
leads to RAVL independent of RPM, kL and VL
k1 = 1.229.13sec 1
Solution:
Given:
Assume: pO2 = 0.21atm
CA* = H * pO2 = 5.8*107 *0.21
= 1.218*107 mol / cm3
Total dispersion volume = 1700 cm3
k L = 2 4 *102 cm / sec
To find the specific interfacial area per unit volume of the dispersion
RAVL = DA k1 * C A* * VL
2018.56
Interfacial area per unit volume of dispersion (VL) = = 1.19cm2 / cm3
1700
First approximation:
E E
For a larger value of M and E , tanh M 1 which lead to
E 1
E E 30
E M = E E
E 1 7.91
E = 8.30 (by trial and error)
Second approximation:
E E 8.91 8.30
tanh M = tanh 30 1
E 1 8.91 1
E E E E
E= M tanh M 8.30
E 1 E 1
(c) To find actual absorption rate, in units of kmol per sec per unit volume of packed space
The Rate of absorption is
RA = k L C A* E = 1*104 * 0.04 *8.3 = 3.32 *105 kmol / m 2 sec
RA a = 3.32*103 kmol / m3 sec
(b) To what diameter should the pellet be reduced if the effectiveness factor is to be 0.8?
Solution:
Given:
(a) To find the concentration of reactant at a distance of 3 x 10-4 cm in from the external pellet
surface
We know that,
CA 1 sinh 1
= =
----------->
(1)
C AS sinh 1
1 sinh 1 0.5
0.1 = 1 = 6 (by trial & error method)
0.5 sinh 1
k1 c sa k
=R = R 1r
De De
k1r
6 = 1*103 k1r = 3600000sec1
0.1
Calculating Thiele modulus for an effectiveness factor 0.8 is
3
= 0.8 = [1 coth 1 1] 1 = 2
12
The corresponding Thiele modulus expression to calculate diameter of the catalyst particle is,
k1r 3600000
=2=R =R R = 3.4 *104 cm
De 0.1
d p = 6.8 *104 cm
Lect. No.: 38 Problem : 38A Time : 28:40
Ref.: Scott Fogler, pg.: 971
Conversion using Dispersion and Tank-in-Series Models:
AB
is carried out in a 10 cm diameter tubular reactor 6.36 m in length. The specific reaction rate is 0.25
min-1. The results of a tracer test carried out on this reactor are shown in Table T38A-1.
time(min) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14
C (mg/L) 0 1 5 8 10 8 6 4 3 2.2 1.5 0.6 0
Calculate conversion using (a) the closed vessel dispersion model, (b) PFR, (C) the tank-in-series
model, and (d) a single CSTR.
Solution:
Given:
d = 10 cm, k = 0.25 min-1
time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14
C(t) 0 1 5 8 10 8 6 4 3 2.2 1.5 0.6 0
(a) To calculate conversion using the closed vessel dispersion model
Table T38A-2. Calculation to determine tm and 2
time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14
C(t) 0 1 5 8 10 8 6 4 3 2.2 1.5 0.6 0
E(t) 0 0.02 0.1 0.16 0.2 0.16 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.044 0.03 0.012 0
tE(t) 0 0.02 0.2 0.48 0.8 0.80 0.72 0.56 0.48 0.40 0.3 0.14 0
t2E(t) 0 0.02 0.4 1.44 3.2 4.0 4.32 3.92 3.84 3.60 3.0 1.68 0
To find E(t) and then tm, we first find the area under the C curve, which is
C (t ) dt = 50 g min
0
Then = tm = tE ( t ) dt = 5.15 min
0
2
+ ( 3.0 + 0.0 ) + 4 (1.68 )
3
= 32.63min 2
0 0
2
2 = 32.63 (5.15) = 6.10min 2
2 2
2
= 2 ( Pe 1 + exp ( Pe ) )
Pe
6.1 2
= 2
= 0.23 =
Pe 2
( Pe 1 + exp ( Pe ))
(5.15)
(
Next we need to calculate Da, Da = k = (5.15min ) 0.25min 1 = 1.29
)
Using the equation for q and X gives
4 Da 4 (1.29 )
q = 1+ = 1+ = 1.30
Pe 7.5
4q exp ( Pe 2 )
X = 1 2 2
(1 + q ) exp ( qPe 2 ) (1 q ) exp ( qPe 2 )
X = 0.68
When dispersion effects are present in this tubular reactor, 68% conversion is achieved.
If the reactor were operating ideally as a plug-flow reactor, the conversion would be
X = 0.725
1 1 1
X = 1 n
= 1 n
= 1 4.35
(1 + i k ) (1 + ( n ) k ) (1 + (5.15 / 4.35) 0.25)
X = 0.677
k 1.29
X = =
1 + k 2.29
X = 0.563
SOLUTION:
2. The irreversible gas-phase reaction A B is carried out isothermally over a packed bed
of solid catalyst particles. The reaction is first order in the concentration of A on the
catalyst surface. The feed consists of 50% (mole) A and 50% inerts and enters the bed at a
temperature 300 K. The entering volumetric flow rate is 10 lit/sec The relation between
Sh and Re is Sh= 100 (Re)0.5
As
a
first
approximation
one
may
neglect
pressure
drop.
The
entering
concentration
of
A
is
1.0M.
Calculate
the
catalyst
weight
necessary
to
achieve
60%
conversion?
Superficial velocity 10 cm/s; Catalyst surface area /mass of the catalyst bed: 60 cm2/g. cat
Specific rate constant (k) is 0.01 cm3/sec g cat with E= 4000 cal/mol
SOLUTION
3. (a) Following is the observed reaction rate in an isothermal reactor as a function of
particle size for an elementary first order liquid phase reaction. The bulk concentration (1
mol/lit) is same in each case. Find the approximate value of effective intra-particle
diffusivity. Catalyst density is 1 gm/cc.
(b)
The
above
reaction
is
performed
in
a
fluidized
bed
reactor
which
received
the
feed
at
100
kmol/hr
and
a
conversion
of
10%
is
realized.
Predict
the
conversion
if
the
original
particle
radius
of
1.8cm
of
the
same
catalyst
is
reduced
by
half
under
otherwise
similar
conditions.
Fluidized
bed
reactor
can
be
considered
to
be
a
perfectly
back-mixed
reactor
for
all
practical
purposes.
SOLUTION:
4. A first order irreversible cracking reaction A = B is performed in a fixed bed reactor on a
catalyst particle size of 0.15 cm. Pure A enters the reactor at a superficial velocity of
2m/s, a temperature of 2000C and pressure of 1 atm. Under these conditions, the reaction
is severely affected by internal diffusion effects. Calculate the length of bed necessary to
achieve 60% conversion.
Data
given:
The
intrinsic
reaction
rate
constant
calculated
by
performing
experiments
with
very
small
particle
size
of
the
same
catalyst
is
0.0003
m3/g
cat.
sec.
SOLUTION: