Code No: RR320802 Set No.

1
III B.Tech II Semester Supplimentary Examinations, Aug/Sep 2007
CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING-I
(Chemical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
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1. (a) Define reaction rate constant. Develop an expression that facilitates calcula-
tion of units of rate constant for any order. [6]
(b) Determine equilibrium conversion of A at 3730 K for the following aqueous
reaction.
k1
A⇀↽R ∆G0 = -3375 K cal/K mole
k2
∆Hr0= -18,000 K cal/K mole
Assume specific heats of all solutions are equal to that of water. [10]

2. (a) The decomposition of ammonia on a tungsten wire is carried out at 8560 C and
the following data are obtained.
Total Pressure, atm 0.300 0.330 0.359 0.418
Time, sec. 200 400 600 1000
Check whether the reaction follows zero order kinetics. Find the reaction
velocity constant.
(b) For a second order reaction show that the half life period is t 1 = 1 / K CA0
2
K- is the rate constant and CA0 - initial concentration of reactant. [8+8]

3. Thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon A proceeds to form R1 , R2 , R3 and R4

A → R1 + X
A + X → R2 + Y
Y → R3 + X
X + Y → R4
Where X and Y are intermediate complexes. Determine the order of the decompo-
sition of A from the above mechanism. [16]

4. Methyl acetoxy propionate decomposes on heating to form methyl acrylate and

acetic acid according to following stoichiometry.
A=B+C
The pyrolysis was found to be first order with k = 7.8 × 109 e−19,100/T (sec.−1 ).
Where T in 0 K. Calculate the volume of the plug flow reactor required to convert
78% of the reactant A with a flow rate of A being 1500 kg/hr at a pressure of 4
bar and 6000 C. The molecular weight of reactant is 146. [16]

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Code No: RR320802 Set No. 1
5. At present the elementary liquid-phase reaction A + B → R + S takes place in a
plug flow reactor using equimolar quantities of A and B. Conversion is 96%,
CAO = CBO = 1 mol/litre.

(a) If a mixed reactor 10 times as large as the plug flow reactor were hooked up
in series with the existing unit, which unit should come first and by what
fraction could production be increased for that setup?
(b) Does the concentration level of the feed affect the answer, and if so, in what
way?
Note: Conversion is to remain unchanged. [12+4]

6. For the solid catalyzed reaction A+B ← → R derive the expression for the rate of
reaction if desorption of R is rate controlling. [16]

7. Derive the energy balance equation for an adiabatically operated CSTR. [16]

8. Write short notes on:

(a) Order and molecular

(b) Empirical rate equations. [8+8]

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Code No: RR320802 Set No. 2
III B.Tech II Semester Supplimentary Examinations, Aug/Sep 2007
CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING-I
(Chemical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

1. (a) For the reaction 2A+ 12 B → C write the relation between the rate of formation
and disappearance of the three components of the reaction. [6]
(b) A reaction has the stoichiometric equation 2A → R+ S what is the order of
the reaction. [2]
(c) The reaction with the following stoichiometric equation A+ 21 B →R has the
rate expression ?rA =kCA CB 0.5 . What is the rate expression for the reaction
written as 2A + B → 2R [2]
(d) A certain reaction has a rate given by ?rA =0.005CA 2 , mol/cm3 .min. If the
concentration is to be expressed in mol/lit and time in hours, what would be
the value and units of the reaction rate constant? [6]

2. Pure gaseous A decomposes to completion according to the reaction A → R + S in a

then walled capillary tube which acts as a batch reactor. The required temperature
is maintained in the tube by placing it into a bath of boiling water. The following
data are obtained.
Time (min.) 0.5 1 1.5 2 3 4 6 10
Length of Capillary
occupied by 6.1 6.8 7.2 7.5 7.85 8.1 8.4 8.7 9.4
reactions mixture(mm),
Find a rate equation in units of moles, liters and minutes for the decomposition.
Pressure in the capillary measures 1000mm Hg guage. [16]

3. Experiment shows that the homogeneous decomposition of ozone proceed with a

rate −r03 = K[O3 ]2 [O2 ]−1 . Suggest a two step mechanism to explain this rate and
explain how would you further test this mechanism? [16]

4. (a) Assuming a stoichiometry A → R, for a first order gas reaction, the size of
plug flow reactor to get 99% conversion is 32 liters. If the stoichiometry is A
→ 3 R. What is the required reactor volume?
(b) The first order reaction A → B is carried out in a tubular reactor in which
volumetric flow rate is constant. Develop an equation relating the reactor
volume to the entering and existing concentration A, the rate constant k, and
the volumetric flow rate υ . Determine the reactor volume necessary to reduce
the existing concentration to 10% of the entering concentration, when the
volumetric flow rate is 10 liters/min. and specific reaction rate k is 0.23/ min.
[8+8]

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Code No: RR320802 Set No. 2
5. Substance A reacts according to second order kinetics and conversion is 95% from
a single flow reactor. We buy a second unit identical to the first. For the same
conversion, by how much is the capacity increased if we operate these two units in
parallel or in series?

(a) The reactors are both plug flow.

(b) The reactors are both mixed flow. [8+8]

6. (a) Describe the different types of catalysts with examples.

(b) Explain the three mechanisms by which a reactant adsorbed onto the catalyst
surface is capable of reacting to form the product. [10+6]

7. Derive the energy balance equation for an adiabatically operated CSTR. [16]

8. Write brief notes on

(a) Isothermal and non isothermal reactions

(b) Semi batch reactors. [8+8]

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Code No: RR320802 Set No. 3
III B.Tech II Semester Supplimentary Examinations, Aug/Sep 2007
CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING-I
(Chemical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

1. (a) Define reaction rate constant. Develop an expression that facilitates calcula-
tion of units of rate constant for any order. [6]
(b) Determine equilibrium conversion of A at 3730 K for the following aqueous
reaction.
k1
A⇀↽R ∆G0 = -3375 K cal/K mole
k2
∆Hr0= -18,000 K cal/K mole
Assume specific heats of all solutions are equal to that of water. [10]

2. For the reaction in series A → R → S with k1 6= k2 , find the maximum concentration

of R and when it is reached in a batch reactor? k1 and k2 are the rate constants
for the first and second reactions. Show what happens if K1 = K2 . [16]

3. Experiment shows that the homogeneous decomposition of ozone proceed with a

rate −r03 = K[O3 ]2 [O2 ]−1 . Suggest a two step mechanism to explain this rate and
explain how would you further test this mechanism? [16]

4. The decomposition of gaseous A proceeds as follows

A → R (−rA ) = kC A 2
A tubular reactor of 2 liters volume is fed at 2 m3 /hr of pure A at 3000 C and 20
atm. Conversion of reactant is 65%. In a commercial plant, it is desired to treat
100m3 /hr of feed gases at 40 atm and 3000 C containing 60%A and 40% diluents
to obtain 85% conversion of A. Find the volume of reactor required. [16]

5. In a chemical factory five 10 liter tanks (CSTR) were found lying idle. The manage-
ment decides to make use of these tanks for carrying out a first order liquid-phase
reaction whose reaction rate constant is 2.0min−1 . The initial reactant concentra-
tion is 20.0 g mol/liter, and the flow rate is 20 lit/min. If they decide to operate
the tanks in series and to obtain a fractional conversion of not less than 95% from
the arrangement, will the tanks available in the factory be sufficient or will they
have to order more such tanks? If so how many? [16]

6. For the solid catalyzed reaction A+B ← → R+S derive the expression for the rate of
reaction if adsorption of B is rate controlling. [16]

7. Derive the energy balance equation for an adiabatically operated CSTR. [16]

8. Write short notes on:

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Code No: RR320802 Set No. 3
(a) Homogeneous catalytic reactions.
(b) Auto calahytic reactions. [8+8]

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Code No: RR320802 Set No. 4
III B.Tech II Semester Supplimentary Examinations, Aug/Sep 2007
CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING-I
(Chemical Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max Marks: 80
Answer any FIVE Questions
All Questions carry equal marks
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

1. (a) i. For the reaction 1/2 O +2N O2 → N2 O5 Write the relation between the
rates of formation and disappearance of all the components involved in
the reaction. [4]
ii. Write the units of specific reaction rate constant in the eqn: −rA =0.08CA 0.5
[2]
iii. Define the molecularity of a reaction with an example [2]
iv. Define elementary reaction with example [2]
v. Define multiple reactions with example [2]
(b) Sketch the energies involved in the transformation of reactants to products for
exothermic and endothermic reaction. [4]
2. The reaction A+B →R takes place in a constant volume batch reactor and first
order with respect to component A and second order with reference to component
B. Starting with CA = 0.6 mol/lit and CB = 1.8 mol/lit the following data are
obtained. Derive the integrated rate equation for the above reaction and find the
reaction rate constant from the following data. [16]
t, min 3.9 9.2 17.5 30.4 56
CA 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1
mole/lit.
3. (a) Distinguish between elementary and non elementary reactions.
(b) Show that the following scheme
N2 O 5 ⇀ ↽ N O2 + N O3∗
N O2 + N O3∗ → N O∗ + O2 + N O2
N O∗ + N O3∗ → 2N O2
is consistent with and can explain the observed first order decomposition of
N2 O 5 . [4+12]
4. Pure gaseous reactant A with CAo = 100 millimole/litre is fed at steady rate
into a mixed reactor, where it dimerizes, 2 A → R with rate equation, −rA = 2
(liter/m.m.hr) CA 2 . 60 % conversion takes place in this reactor, all else remaining
unchanged. What will be the conversion if this reactor is changed with,(i) mixed
reactor, 5 times as large (ii) plug flow reactor of equal size. [16]
5. Substance A reacts according to second order kinetics and conversion is 95% from
a single flow reactor. We buy a second unit identical to the first. For the same
conversion, by how much is the capacity increased if we operate these two units in
parallel or in series?

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Code No: RR320802 Set No. 4
(a) The reactors are both plug flow.
(b) The reactors are both mixed flow. [8+8]

6. For the solid catalyzed reaction A ←→ R derive the expression for the rate of reaction
if desorption of R is rate controlling. [16]

7. Derive the energy balance equation for an adiabatically operated CSTR. [16]

8. Write detailed notes on:

(a) Temperature dependency of rate constant

(b) Homogeneous reactions. [8+8]

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