MANIPAL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

EKB3203-PROCESS & EQUIPMENT DESIGN
ASSIGNMENT 1 (PART-2)
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 23-03-16
Monochlorobenzene is produced by the reaction of benzene with chlorine. A mixture of mono
chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene is produced, with a small amount of trichlorobenzene. Hydrogen
chloride is produced as a byproduct. Benzene is fed to the reactor in excess to promote the production
of monochlorobenzene. The reactor products are fed to a condenser where the chlorobenzenes and
unreacted benzene are condensed. The condensate is separated from the noncondensable gases in a
separator. The non-condensables, hydrogen chloride and unreacted chlorine, pass to an absorption
column where the hydrogen chloride is absorbed in water. The chlorine leaving the absorber is recycled
to the reactor. The liquid phase from the separator, chlorobenzenes and unreacted benzene, is fed to a
distillation column, where the chlorobenzenes are separated from the unreacted benzene. The benzene
is recycle to the reactor.
Using the data given below, Calculate the outlet stream flows for each unit operation. NOTE: start the
material balance at the reactor inlet (after the addition of the recycle streams) and use a basis of 100
kmol/h benzene at this point.

Data :

Reactor
Reactions:

C6H6 + Cl2 -> C6H5 Cl + HCl

C6H6 + 2Cl2 -> C6H4 Cl2 + 2HCl
Mol ratio Cl2: C6H6, at inlet to reactor = 0.9
Overall conversion of benzene = 55.3 per cent
Yield of monochlorobenzene = 73.6 per cent
Yield of dichlorobenzene = 27.3 per cent
Production of other chlorinated compounds can be neglected.

Condenser
Assume that all the chlorobenzenes and unreacted benzene condenses. Assume that the vapour
pressure of the liquid at the condenser temperature is not significant; i.e. that no chlorobenzene
or benzene are carried over in the gas stream.

Separator
Assume complete separation of the liquid and gas phases.

Absorber
Assume 100 per cent absorption of hydrogen chloride, and that 98 per cent of the chlorine is
recycled, the remainder being dissolved in the water. The water supply to the absorber is set to
produce a 30 per cent w/w strength hydrochloric acid.

Distillation column
Take the recovery of benzene to be 95 per cent, and complete separation of the
chlorobenzenes.