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Example Problems With Solutions PDF
Example Problems With Solutions PDF
problems
have
been
covered
in
various
lectures.
A
few
of
these
with
problem
statements
with
solutions
are
below.
−rA' ( obs ) R 2 ρc
= ηφ12 = 3 (φ1 coth φ1 − 1)
[1]
De C As
Suppose φ11 and φ12 are the Thiele Moduli at Run 1 and Run 2 with − rAʹ′1 and −rAʹ′ 2 being the
corresponding observed reaction rates, R1 and R2 being the corresponding radii. Using Eq. (1), we
obtain
−rAs' ρc
R1
φ11 DeC As R1 R 0.01m
= = ⇒ φ11 = 1 φ12 = φ12 = 10φ12 [3]
φ12 '
−r ρc R2 R2 0.001m
R2 As
DeC As
Using Eqs. (2) & (3) and introducing the information in Table 1, we obtain
Solving which gives φ12 = 1.65 and φ11 = 10φ12 = 16.5 . The corresponding effectiveness factors
obtained using Eq. (1) are
η2 = 0.856;η1 = 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, ηφ12 = 3 (φ1 coth φ1 − 1) , φ13 = 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 ) ρc R 2 4.67 *10−9 *0.7 2
CWP = = −5
= 1.88*10−3 << 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 ρc ( −rAs' )
Φ = ηφ = 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 − Ωk " Sa ρb CAb
2
=0 [1]
dz dz
where Ω is the overall effectiveness factor. It should be noted that in general, for a second order
reaction explicit expression for Ω 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 ρ C2
− Ωk " 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 Ω 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 η 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]
Ωρb k Sa CAb 0 ⎝ 1 − X ⎠
Using the expression for φ2 for a second order reaction, the effectiveness factor
12 12 12
⎛ 2 ⎞ 3 ⎛ 2 ⎞ 3 ⎛ 2 ⎞ 3
η = ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜ ⎟ 7
= 9.47 ×10−8
⎝ n + 1 ⎠ φn ⎝ 2 + 1 ⎠ φ2 ⎝ 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. η << 1 implies strongly internal diffusion limited, therefore
approximating Ω ≈ η = 9.47 ×10−8
U X 4 0.81
L= "
= −8 6
= 3.62 ×10−2 m
Ωρb k Sa C Ab 0 1 − X 9.47 ×10 × 2.1×10 × 51× 410 × 0.113 (1 − 0.81)
A( g ) + 2 B(l ) → C (l )
which is first order in A. kL and â 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; â = 200 m2/m3; Da = 2.5x10-9 m2/s
Solution:
Given:
âVL = 132 cm2
RAVL = 1.23*10−5 mol / sec
CA* = H * pO2 = 5.8*10−7 mol / cm3
DA = 2.1*10−5 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*10−7 *0.21
= 1.218*10−7 mol / cm3
Total dispersion volume = 1700 cm3
k L = 2 − 4 *10−2 cm / sec
To find the specific interfacial area per unit volume of the dispersion
RAVL = DA k1 * C A* * âVL
2018.56
Interfacial area per unit volume of dispersion (âVL) = = 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*10−4 * 0.04 *8.3 = 3.32 *10−5 kmol / m 2 sec
RA a = 3.32*10−3 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 φ1λ ⎞
ψ= = ⎜ ⎟
-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐>
(1)
C AS λ ⎝ sinh φ1 ⎠
1 ⎛ sinh φ1 0.5 ⎞
0.1 = ⎜ ⎟ ⇒ φ1 = 6 (by trial & error method)
0.5 ⎝ sinh φ1 ⎠
k1 ρc sa k
φ=R = R 1r
De De
k1r
6 = 1*10−3 ⇒ k1r = 3600000sec−1
0.1
Calculating Thiele modulus for an effectiveness factor 0.8 is
3
η = 0.8 = [φ1 coth φ1 − 1] ⇒ φ1 = 2
φ12
The corresponding Thiele modulus expression to calculate diameter of the catalyst particle is,
k1r 3600000
φ =2=R =R ⇒ R = 3.4 *10−4 cm
De 0.1
d p = 6.8 *10−4 cm
Lect. No.: 38 Problem : 38A Time : 28:40
Ref.: Scott Fogler, pg.: 971
Conversion using Dispersion and Tank-in-Series Models:
A→B
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 σ2
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 τ = tm = ∫ tE ( t ) dt = 5.15 min
0
⎛ 2 ⎞
+ ⎜ ⎟ ⎡⎣( 3.0 + 0.0 ) + 4 (1.68 )⎤⎦
⎝ 3 ⎠
= 32.63min 2
0 0
2
σ 2 = 32.63 − (5.15) = 6.10min 2
σ2 2
2
= 2 ( Pe − 1 + exp ( − Pe ) )
τ Pe
6.1 2
= 2
= 0.23 =
Pe 2
( Pe − 1 + exp ( − Pe ))
(5.15)
(
Next we need to calculate Da, Da = τ 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 + τ i k ) (1 + (τ n ) k ) (1 + (5.15 / 4.35) 0.25)
X = 0.677
τk 1.29
X = =
1 + τ k 2.29
X = 0.563
Do we expect significant temperature gradients within the pellet & outside?
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: