CHE502: REACTION ENGINEERING 1

TUTORIAL 5
CHAPTER 5

[1]

A liquid reactant stream (1 M) passes through two mixed flow reactors in a series. The
concentration of A in the exit of the first reactor is 0.5M. Identify the concentration in the
exit stream of the second reactor, given that the reaction is second order with respect to A
and V2/V1=2.

[2]

10 L/min of liquid feed containing 1 mol A/L is to be treated to 99% conversion using two
units of CSTR. The stoichiometry and kinetics of the reaction:
,

= 0.2+
/.

Suggest a good arrangement of the reactors (series/parallel) for the reaction above.
Identify the size of the two units needed.

[3]

The adiabatic exothermic irreversible gas phase reaction below is to be carried out in a
flow reactor for a stoichiometric feed of A and B
0.5 + 2

a. Calculate the PFR volume needed to achieve 50% conversion?

b. Calculate the CSTR volume needed to achieve 50% conversion?
c. Calculate the volume of CSTR that must be added to achieve 80% conversion
compared to part (b).

[4]

An elementary gas phase reaction (isothermal, isobaric) below was carried out in a series
of reactors consisting 2 CSTR and 1 PFR where the sequencing is CSTR-PFR-CSTR.
2 + 2
Initially, pure A was fed at molar flow rate of 50 kmol.hr. Experimental data obtained
were tabulated in the following table.
-rA (kmol/m3.h)
39
53
59
38
25

X
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.65

a. Construct complete stoichiometric table for the reaction above.

b. Calculate volume of the reactors in m3
c. If the arrangement is to be changed in the sequence of PFR-CSTR-PFR, identify
the volume of the reactors.
d. For the same desired conversion of 65%, suggest which arrangement is preferred
based on your answers in part (b) and (c).

[5]

A series of reactors is suggested for the production of B, which follows equation;

If the reaction is a first order and the feed rate is 0.867 mol/s, determine the volume
of the reactors arranged in a sequence of CSTR-PFR. Given that the conversion of the
first reactor is 50% and the overall conversion, Xfinal is 70%. Use the data provided
below to assist your calculations.
X
-rA
(mol/L.s)

0
0.0053

0.1
0.0052

0.2
0.005

0.4
0.004

0.6
0.0025

0.8
0.00125

[6]

+
Equal molar of liquid A and B reacts in a CSTR to produce C as shown above,
reversibly. Liquid is fed to the reactor at concentration of 5 mol/dm3. The equilibrium
constant for above reaction is 8 mol2/m3. Calculate the equilibrium conversion for each
compornent. Assume that the reaction took place in a constant volume reactor.