CHFEN 3553 Chemical Reaction Engineering

April 14, 2003; 12:55 PM – 1:45 PM

Answer all questions

Btu Joules
1. The value of the overall heat transfer coefficient U is 20 2 0 . Find the value of U in 2 .
ft �
hour �F m ��s K

15 points

2 0
Btu J 2 ft 1 h F
U = 20 2 0
�
1055.6 �
3.28 2
� �
1.8
ft �hr �F Btu m 3600 s K
Joules
= 113.6 2
m �� s K

No partial credit

2. The following multiple reactions are taking place in a reactor system.

2 A � B + C , - r1 A = k1C A2
A + C � D, - r2 A = k2C ACC
A + D � E , - r3 A = k3C ACD

Write down the composite rates for species A, B, C, D and E.

15 points

rA = -k1C A2 - k2C ACB - k3C AC D 4 points

rB = k1C A2 / 2 2 points
rC = k1C A2 / 2 - k2C ACC 4 points
rD = k2C ACC - k3C ACD 3 points
rE = k3C ACD 2 points
3. The following liquid-phase consecutive reaction is taking place in a PFR.
k1 k2
A �� � B �� �C
The reactor volume is 100 liters, volumetric flow rate is 20 liters/second and CA0=0.2 mol/liter. The rate
constants k1 and k2 are 0.5 s-1 and 0.3 s-1 respectively. Determine the concentrations of A, B and C at the exit of
the reactor.

20 points
dC A
= - k1C A ; C A = C A0 e - k1t 2 points
dt
dCB
= k1C A - k2CB = k1C A0 e - k1t - k2C B 4 points
dt
dCB
+ k2CB = k1C A0 e - k1t Integrating factor is e k2t - Multiply both sides
dt
dCB
e k2t + e k2t k2CB = k1C A0 e ( k2 - k1 )t
dt
d
dt
( )
CB e k2t = k1C A0 e( k2 - k1 )t

k1
CB e k2t = C A 0 e( k2 - k1 )t + C1 where C1 is the integration constant
k2 - k1
k1
CB = 0 at t =0, C1 = -
k2 - k1
k1
CB =
k2 - k1
( )
C A 0 e - k1t - e - k2t 5 points Solution was given in class and is also on page 293 of the text.

CC = C A 0 - C A - CB 3 points
mol mol mol
C A = 0.01642 ; CB = 0.0705 ; CC = 0.1131 6 points
lit lit lit

4. This first order reversible reaction takes place in a flow reactor.

A� B

The equilibrium constant at 300 K is 35 and the heat of reaction is –5,000 cal/mol. A conversion of 80% is
desired. The engineer designing the reactor contends that you need to operate below 1250 C to achieve this
conversion. Verify is this is correct or incorrect.

20 points
 �DH �1 1 � �
K e (T ) = K e (T1 ) exp � Rx � - � �
� R �T1 T � �
�-5000 � 1 1��
K e (T ) = 35 � exp � � - � �
�1.987 �300 T �
�
= 4.437 at 398 K 8 points
� C �
First-order rate law: - rA = k �
CA - B �
� Ke �
At equilibrium, - rA = 0 � C Ae = CBe / K e
CA0 X e Ke
C A0 (1 - X e ) = � Xe = 8 points
Ke 1 + Ke
X e = 0.816 4 points

Above this temperature, X will decrease and fall below 0.8. Hence, the contention is correct.

5. The following reaction goes to 75% completion in a 300 liter CSTR. A and B are fed to the reactor at
identical rates of 1.5 mol/s at a temperature of 270C. Specific heats (in J/mol-K) of A, B and C are 200, 180
and 190, respectively.

A + B � 2C

The reactor is jacketed by water at a temperature of 200C. The overall heat transfer coefficient has been
estimated at 225 J/(m2.s.K), while the heat transfer area is 1 m2. Mixing is ensured through an agitator, which
contributes a work of 15 KW to the reactor. The heat of reaction is -35,000 J/mole of A. Calculate the steady
state temperature in the reactor by assuming that the heat of reaction is independent of temperature.

30 points

Use equation 8-50 from the text

Q&- W&
- X DH Rx = �q i C%pi (T - Ti 0 )
FA 0
FA0 X (-DH Rx ) + F0 (C pA + C pB )T0 + UATa + W&
T= 12 points
F0 (C pA + C pB ) + UA
1.5 � (35000) + 1.5 �
0.75 � (200 + 180) �
300 + 225 �
1�293 + 15000
T=
1.5 �(200 + 180) + 225 �
1

=366.4 K

Recognition of parameters and solution – 18 points