ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Reviewer for Chemical Calculations

Table of Contents

 Gravimetric Analysis…………………………………………..2

 Module 1: Introduction………………………………………..4

 Activity 1: Mole Concept……………………………………....7

 Activity 2: Measuring Concentration…………………………8

 Module 2: Material balance w/o chemical reaction…………..9

 Material balance in multiple processes……………………….22

 Material balance w/ chemical reaction……………………….23

 Vapor Pressure…………………………………………………27

 Partial saturation and humidity……………………………….29

 Practice Problems………………………………………………33

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Gravimetric Analysis
- A precipitation or volatilization method based on the determination of weight of a substance of known composition
that is chemically related to the analyte.

The Gravimetric Factor

Let’s refresh our knowledge about the gravimetric factor using this example below 

1. Consider a 1.00g sample containing 75% potassium sulfate ( FW 174.25) and 25% MSO4. The sample is dissolved and
the sulfate is precipitated as BaSO4 (FW 233.39). If the BaSO4 ppt weighs 1.49g, what is the atomic weight of M2+ in
MSO4?

First set up the equation for the problem

0.75 ∙ 233.39 0.25 ∙ 233.39
1.49 = +
174.25 𝑋 + 96.06
𝑿 = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟏𝟐𝒈 (𝑴𝒈𝟐+ )

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Practice problem

1. A mixture of mercurous chloride (FW 472.09) and mercurous bromide (FW 560.99) weighs 2.00g. The
mixture is quantitatively reduced to mercury metal (At Wt 200.59) which weighs 1.50g. Calculate the %
mercurous chloride and mercous bromide in the original mixture (ans. 0.5182g)

2. In the analysis of 0.7011 g of an impure chloride containing sample, 0.9805 g of AgCl were precipitated. What
is the percentage by mass chloride in the sample? (Ans. 34.59%)

3. A 0.4054 g solid organic sample containing covalently bound bromide and no other halogens was placed in a
porcelain crucible with about one gram of fresh sodium metal. In a process known as sodium fusion, the
mixture was heated in a furnace to 450°C which charred and vaporized the organic portion of the molecule
and converted the covalent bromide into sodium bromide. Excess sodium was decomposed by adding small
portions of water which also dissolved the sodium bromide. The clear solution was quantitatively transferred
to a beaker, acidified with dilute nitric acid, and diluted to about 50 mL. A 6 mL quantity of 0.1 M AgNO3
was added to the solution and the mixture heated to about 60°C for an hour to age and digest the precipitate.
After filtering, the mass of the silver bromide produced was determined to be 37.8 mg. What is the percentage
by mass bromine in the organic compound? (Ans. 3.97%)

4. A 1.1105 g sample of bauxite (the primary ore of aluminum) was analyzed for aluminum. The sample was
pulverized and dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. The HNO3 was removed by evaporation and solids
dissolved in hot water with a very small quantity of nitric acid added. Insoluble solids were removed by
gravity filtration. The solution was made basic by the slow addition of dilute NH3 at which point a gelatinous
solid precipitated (Al(OH)3 and Al2O3.x H2O). The precipitate was heated to coagulate it as much as possible
then filtered over "fast" filter paper. The paper and solids were placed in a porcelain crucible and the paper
ashed and precipitate "ignited" at 600°C to convert the precipitate to pure Al2O3. The mass of Al2O3
isolated was 0.3605 g. The average mass of ash remaining after charring 10 sheets of the identical filter paper
was 0.0006 g. What is the percentage aluminum in the bauxite ore? (Ans. 17.15%)

Read more @ http://seaver-faculty.pepperdine.edu/dgreen/Chem340/Handouts/ChemicalAnalysis/GravProbs.pdf

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Module 1: Introduction

Exercises!
1. Describe the preparation of the 750mL of 6.00M 𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4 (97.974g/mol) from the commercial reagent that is 85%
𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4by weight and has a specific gravity of 1.69.

Recall your basic knowledge of M1V1=M2V2.

Solve for the concentration of M1. Let us set a basis of 100g of solution.
85𝑔 𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4 1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4 1.69𝑔 1000𝑚𝐿
𝑀1 = 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
100𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 97.974𝑔 𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4 𝑚𝐿 1𝐿
𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 14.6621
𝐿
𝑚𝑜𝑙
(14.6621 ) 𝑉1 = (6.00𝑀)(0.75𝐿)
𝐿
𝑉1 = 0.3069𝐿
2. The mercury in a 0.7152g sample was precipitated with an excess of paraperiodic acid, 𝐻5 𝐼𝑂6 .

5𝐻𝑔2+ + 2𝐻5 𝐼𝑂6 → 𝐻𝑔5 (𝐼𝑂6 )2 + 10𝐻+

The precipitate was filtered, washed, dried and weighed, 0.3408g being recovered calculate the percentage of
𝐻𝑔2 𝐶𝑙2 in the sample.

The MW of 𝑯𝒈𝟓 (𝑰𝑶𝟔 )𝟐 is 1448.8 g/mol and for 𝑯𝒈𝟐 𝑪𝒍𝟐 is 472.08 g/mol. In this problem it is important to
always check if the equation is balanced, because it will be used in our calculations.

1𝑚𝑜𝑙 5𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝑔2+ 1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝑔2 𝐶𝑙2 472.08𝑔𝐻𝑔2 𝐶𝑙2

0.3408𝑔 𝐻𝑔5 (𝐼𝑂6 )2 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
1448.8𝑔 1𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝑔5 (𝐼𝑂6 )2 2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝑔2+ 1𝑚𝑜𝑙𝐻𝑔2 𝐶𝑙2
=0.27762g 𝐻𝑔2 𝐶𝑙2

To solve for the percentage recovery of 𝑯𝒈𝟐 𝑪𝒍𝟐 in the sample we simply divide the amount of 𝑯𝒈𝟐 𝑪𝒍𝟐 by the
weight of the sample.
0.27762𝑔 𝐻𝑔2 𝐶𝑙2
%𝐻𝑔2 𝐶𝑙2 = 𝑥100
0.7152𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
=38.82%

𝑔
3. A 0.9157g sample of Ca𝐵𝑟2 (199.886 ) and NaBr (102.894 g/mol) is dissolved in water and AgNO3 is added to
𝑚𝑜𝑙
the solution to form AgBr (187.772 g/mol). If the mass of the AgBr formed is 1.6930g, calculate the mass percent
composition of the sample.

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

In this problem a strong foundation of your knowledge in using gravimetric factors is very important because it
will be used to solve the composition of Ca𝑩𝒓𝟐 and NaBr in the sample.

We know that the sample is made up of Ca𝑩𝒓𝟐 and NaBr.

0.9157g= Ca𝐵𝑟2 + 𝑁𝑎𝐵𝑟

Let: x= Ca𝐵𝑟2
Y=Nabr

2𝑥187.772 1𝑥187.772𝑔
1.6930𝑔 = 𝑥 ( ) + 𝑦( )
1𝑥199.886 1𝑥102.894𝑔
Having 2 equations we can now solve for x and y.
𝑥 = 0.40703𝑔 𝐶𝑎𝐵𝑟2
𝑦 = 0.5087𝑔 𝑁𝑎𝐵𝑟

0.40703𝑔
%𝐶𝑎𝐵𝑟2 = 𝑥100 = 44.45%
0.9157𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒
0.5087𝑔
%𝑁𝑎𝐵𝑟 = 𝑥100 = 55.55%
0.9157𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

MODULE 1: Part B: Dimensional Analysis

1. Consider the equation

D(ft)= 3t(s) + 4

a) If the equation is consistent in its units, what are the units of 3 and 4?

b) If the equation is valid what are the dimensions of the constants 3 and 4.

c) Derive an equation for the distance in meters and time in minutes.

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Solutions:

𝑓𝑡
a) 𝐷(𝑓𝑡) = 3 𝑠
𝑥 𝑡(𝑠) + 4𝑓𝑡
=3ft/s + 4ft

b) Velocity, distance

c) D(ft) = D’(m)
3.281𝑓𝑡
=D’(m) x 𝑚

= 3.281 D’(m) 3.281 𝐷′ (𝑚) = 3 𝑡 ′ (60) + 4

t(s) = t’(min) D’(m)= 54.861 t’(min) + 1.22

60𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑠
= t’(min) x 1𝑚𝑖𝑛 Substitute

= 60 t’(min)

2. The vapour pressure P (in units of mmHg) of water is given as a formula of temperature (in unit of Celsius)
by the equation.
𝟏𝟔𝟔𝟖. 𝟐𝟏
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟏𝟎 𝑷 = 𝟕. 𝟗𝟔𝟔𝟖𝟏 −
𝑻 + 𝟐𝟐𝟖
Convert this to an equation for vapour pressure (in units of bar) as a function of temperature (in units of
K).

Solution:

1 atm= 760mmHg

1 atm= 1.01325 Bar

760𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔
𝑃(𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔) = 𝑃′ (𝐵𝑎𝑟)𝑥 = 750.06𝑃′(𝐵𝑎𝑟)
1.01325 𝐵𝑎𝑟
−273.15
𝑇(°𝐶) = 𝑇 ′ (𝐾) 𝑥 = −273.15𝑇 ′ (𝐾)
𝐾
Substitute to the given equation:

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

1668.21
log10 750.06𝑃′ (𝐵𝑎𝑟) = 7.96681 −
(𝑇 − 273.15) + 228
1668.21
log 750.06 + log 𝑃′ (𝐵𝑎𝑟) = 7.96681 −
𝑇 − 45.15
𝟏𝟔𝟔𝟖. 𝟐𝟏
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝑷′ (𝑩𝒂𝒓) = 𝟓. 𝟎𝟗 −
𝑻 − 𝟒𝟓. 𝟏𝟓

Activity 1: The Mole Concept

 1 g.mol = 6.02𝑥1023 molecules

Example:

1 g.mol of 𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4 contains 6.02𝑥1023 molecules

 1 g.atom= 6.02𝑥1023 atoms

Example:
1 g.atom of C contains 6.02𝑥1023 C atoms

Molecules:

𝒈 𝒌𝒈 𝒍𝒃
𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝑾𝒕: , ,
𝒈. 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒌𝒈. 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒍𝒃. 𝒎𝒐𝒍

Element:
𝒈 𝒌𝒈 𝒍𝒃
𝑨𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑾𝒕: , ,
𝒈. 𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎 𝒌𝒈. 𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎 𝒍𝒃. 𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎

Example:
Determine the number of H atoms in 1 g.mol of 𝑯𝟑 𝑷𝑶𝟒

Solution

𝟔. 𝟎𝟐𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝟑 𝑯 𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒔

𝟏 𝒈. 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝑯𝟑 𝑷𝑶𝟒 𝒙 𝒙 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟎𝟔𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝑯 𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒔
𝟏 𝒈. 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝑯𝟑 𝑷𝑶𝟒 𝟏 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝑯𝟑 𝑷𝑶𝟒

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Activity 2: Measuring Concentration

𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒈.𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆

1. 𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 = ( )
𝑳 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑳

𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒈.𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆

2. 𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 = ( )
𝑲𝒈 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑲𝒈

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝑶𝒇 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

3. 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 = ( )
𝑳 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑳 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒐𝒏
Take note:
𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 1ppm= 1mg/L
4. 𝒑𝒑𝒎 𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒑𝒃 =
𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

1ppb= 1µg/L

𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒍′ 𝒏

5. % 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 = 𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒍′ 𝒏

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒍′ 𝒏

6. % 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 = 𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒍′ 𝒏

Different Hydrometer Scales:

1. Baume Scale (Be)

𝟏𝟒𝟎
𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 (𝑺𝑮 < 𝟏): 𝑩𝒆 = − 𝟏𝟑𝟎
𝑺𝑮
𝟏𝟒𝟓
𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 (𝑺𝑮 > 𝟏): 𝑩𝒆 = 𝟏𝟒𝟓 −
𝑺𝑮

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

2. API Gravity used in petroleum industry

𝟏𝟒𝟏. 𝟓
𝑨𝑷𝑰 = − 𝟏𝟑𝟏. 𝟓
𝑺𝑮

3. BRIX scale – Used in sugar, fruit juice and wine making industry.

𝟒𝟎𝟎
𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒙 = − 𝟒𝟓𝟎
𝑺𝑮

4. Twadell scale = Used in bleaching and dyeing industry.

𝑻𝒘 = 𝟐𝟎𝟎(𝑺𝑮 − 𝟏)

Example:

a. Given 90° TW. Find the specific gravity and convert it to Be.

Solution:
90°𝑇𝑊 = 200(𝑆𝐺 − 1)
SG=1.45
145
𝐵𝑒 = 145 − = 𝟒𝟓 °𝑩𝒆
1.45

Module 2: Material Balance w/o Chemical Reactions

General Balance Equation = Balance on Conserved Quantity

(Mass, Energy, Momentum)

Example:

Every year 65,000 people move into the city, 80,000 people move out, 30,000 people are born, and 25,000 people die.

𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 City
65,000 80,000
𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒
𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟
𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟
(System)

NOTE:

Birth: 30,000 people/ year UST ChES | Academic Affairs Committee ’17-’18 | Francis Rosales | page 9

Death: 25,000 people/year

 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Over-all balance:

(65,000 People/year) + (30,000 People/year) – (25,000 People/year) = -10,000 People/year

 The population decreases by 10,000 people per year.

Process Classifications

1. Steady-State
- Conditions are stable/constant w/ respect to time.
- Variables such as temperature, pressure, flowrate are constant with respect to time.
2. Unsteady-State
- Variables are changing with respect to time.

EXAMPLES:

MIXING PROBLEM

1. The spent acid from a nitrating process contains 33%H2SO4, 36%HNO3, and 31%H2O. This acid is strengthened
by the addition of concentrated H2SO4 containing 95% H2SO4 and concentrated nitric acid containing
78%HNO3. The strengthened mixed acid is to contain 40% H2SO4 and 43%HNO3. Calculate the quantities of
spent and mixed acids that should be mixed together to yield 1500kg of the desired mixed acid.

95% H2SO4

5% H2O

Y
1500kg (mixed acid)
Spent Acid
MIXER 40%H2SO4
33%H2SO4
43%HNO3
36%HNO3
17%H2O
31% H2O

78%HNO3

22% H2O

Z
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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Req’d: Mass of spent acid (y), Mass of conc’d H2SO4 (x), Mass of conc’d HNO3

Basis (always have a basis in every computation) : 1500kg of product

Solution:

OMB: X + Y + Z = 1500

H2SO4 Balance:

X(0.95) + Y(0.33) = 1500(0.40)

H20 Balance:

X(0.05) + Y (0.31) + Z(0.22) =1500(0.17)

X = 217.16 kg of spent acid

Y = 556.14 kg of conc’d H2SO4

Z = 726.69 kg of conc’d HNO3

Drying Problem

-Process of removing moisture from a solid material.

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
% 𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑠) = 𝑥 100
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙

14𝑘𝑔 𝐻2𝑂
𝑒𝑥: 14% 𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒(𝑊𝐵) = 𝑥100
100𝑘𝑔 𝑊𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙

𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
%𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑠 = 𝑥100
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙

14𝑘𝑔 𝐻2𝑂
𝑒𝑥: 14% 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒(𝐷𝐵) = 𝑥100
100𝑘𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙

Example:

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

1. A granular material is to be dried using a batch tray drier. The trays measure 0.5m by 0.5m by 3cm thick. The
material contains 25% moisture (DB). The drier can only remove 200kg of pure water per hour. If the product is
to contain no more than 5% moisture (DB), how much fresh material should be charge into the drier? How much
trays are needed? The density of the bone dry material is 1600kg/𝒌𝒈/𝒎𝟑 . Assume there is no shrinkage during
drying.

H2O

200kg/hr

(P)

(F) BATCH TRAY DRIER Dried Product

5% Moisture (DB)
Fresh Material
Density = 1600kg/𝑚3
25% Moisture (DB)

Req’d : Fresh material, Dried Product, and number of trays

Basis: 1-hr operation

Solution:

OMB: F = 200 + P

Volume of tray= 0.5m x 0.5m x o.03m= 0.0075𝑚3

Conversion of dry basis to wet basis:

25𝑘𝑔 𝐻2𝑂
%𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝑊𝐵) = 𝑥100
100𝑘𝑔( 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙) + 25𝑘𝑔 𝐻2𝑂
=20% moisture (WB)
5𝑘𝑔 𝐻2𝑂
%𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝑊𝐵) = 𝑥100
100𝑘𝑔( 𝐵𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑦 ) + 5𝑘𝑔 𝐻2𝑂
= 4.76% Moisture (WB)

Bone-dry material balance:

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

(1-0.2)F = (1-0.0476)P (we now have 2 equations with 2 unknowns)

F= 1250kg Fresh material

P= 1050kg Dried Product

Amount of bone-dry material = 0.8 (1250kg)

= 1000kg

𝒎𝟑 𝒎𝟑
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒐𝒍. 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 = (𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈𝒙 ) + (𝟐𝟓𝟎𝒌𝒈𝒙 )
𝟏𝟔𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒚 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 𝑯𝟐𝑶

= 0.875𝒎𝟑

𝟎. 𝟖𝟕𝟓𝒎𝟑
𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒔 = = 𝟏𝟏𝟕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒔
𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟓𝒎𝟑

Evaporation Problem

-Process of concentrating solution consisting of non-volatile solute and volatile solvent.

H2O (V)

EVAPORATOR

STEAM

Feed (F)

Xf OMB : F= V + L
Solute Bal: F(Xf) = L(Xl)

Thick Liquor (L)

Xl

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

1. A double effect evaporator is to concentrate 1,000,000 kg/day of liquor containing 5% solids to 40% solids.
Assuming equal evaporation are obtained from each effect, calculate the composition of the solution from the
first effect (if forward feeding is used) and the flow rate of the product in kg/hr. How evaporation is obtained.

V2
V1

2
1

STEAM

Feed (F)

1,000,000kg/d

Xf= 0.05
L2
L1
Xl2= 0.4
Xl1

Solution:
Req’d: Xl1, L2, Vt Balance around evaporator I
Basis: 1day operation OMB: 1,000,000=V1+L1
OMB: 1,000,000= V1 + V2 +L2 1,000,000= 437,000 + L1
1,000,000= 2V1 + L2 L1= 562,500kg
Solid-Balance: Solid Balance:
(0.05)(1,000,000) =0.4(L2) (0.05)(1,000,000)=Xl1(562,500)
L2=125,000kg Xl1= 0.09= 9%
V1=V2= 437,500kg
Vt= 875,000kg

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Distillation Problem
-Separation of two or more volatile components from a liquid solution by the application of heat.

Condenser

Distillate (D)
Feed (F)

Bottoms (B)

1. A mixture containing 70% methanol and 30% water is to be distilled. If the distillate is to contain 99.9% methanol and the
bottoms product 0.004% methanol, how much distillate and bottoms product are obtained per 100kg of feed distilled?

(F) (D) 99.9% CH3OH

100kg

70% CH3OH

30% H2O

(B) 0.004% CH3OH

Req’d: D, B
Basis: 100kg Feed
OMB: 100= D+B
CH3OH BALANCE:
(0.7)(100)= 0.999(D) + 0.00004(B)
D= 70.07kg
B= 29.93kg

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Gas Absorption/scrubbing Problem

-Process in which a soluble gas is absorbed from its mixture w/ an inert gas, by means of a liquid in w/c the solute gas is
soluble.

1. In order to recover benzene from a benzene-air mixture, the mixture is scrubbed with kerosene in a packed tower.
𝒎𝟑
8000 𝒉 of benzene-air mixture containing 2% benzene (25°C, 765 mmHg) is treated with 10,000 kg/h of kerosene.
If 98% of the benzene is recovered; find the composition of the gas stream and liquid stream leaving the tower.
What is the volumetric flow rate of the outgoing gas stream (25°C, 759mmHg).

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Req’d: Composition of G2 and L2 1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 10𝑑𝑚 3

(765𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔𝑥 )(8000𝑚3 𝑥( ) )
Basis: 1 hour operation 760𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 1𝑚
𝑛= = 329.1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙
Pv=nRT (0.08206)(25 + 273.15)

G1=329.1kgmol C6H6 (not recovered) = 0.02(6.586) = 0.132kgmol

C6H6= (329.1) (0.02) =6.582kgmol Air = 322.714kgmol

Air= 329.1 – 6.582 = 322.518kgmol Total G2= 322.846kgmol

𝟎. 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝒌𝒈𝒎𝒐𝒍
𝑴𝒐𝒍% = 𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝟏%
𝟑𝟐𝟐. 𝟖𝟒𝟔𝒌𝒈𝒎𝒐𝒍
𝑨𝒊𝒓 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟗𝟓𝟗%
L2( liquid out) = 0.98(6.586) =6.454 kgmol

Kerosene=10,000kg
75𝑘𝑔
6.454𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 ( ) = 503.413𝑘𝑔
1 𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎, 𝟓𝟎𝟑. 𝟒𝟏 𝒌𝒈
𝟓𝟎𝟑. 𝟒𝟏𝟑
𝑾𝒕. % = ( ) 𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝟗𝟓. 𝟐𝟏 % 𝑨𝒊𝒓
𝟏𝟎, 𝟓𝟎𝟑. 𝟒𝟏
PV=nRT
1000𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑛𝑅𝑇 (322.846𝐾𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙) ( ) (0.08206)(25 + 273.15)
1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑉= = = 7909218.12 𝐿
𝑃 1𝑎𝑡𝑚
759𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔𝑥 760𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔

𝒅𝒎𝟑 𝟏𝒎𝟑
𝟕𝟗𝟎𝟗𝟐𝟏𝟖. 𝟏𝟐𝑳 𝒙 𝒙 = 𝟕𝟗𝟎𝟗. 𝟐𝟐𝒎𝟑 /𝒉
𝑳 (𝟏𝟎𝒅𝒎)𝟑

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Crystallization Problem

-Process where solid particles are formed from a homogeneuos mixture.

-Can’t occur if solution is supersatured.

1. A hot solution containing 35% MgSO4 and 65%H2O is cooled to 15°C. During cooling, 4% of the total water in
the system evaporates. How many kg of Epsom salt crystals, MgSO4•7H2O are obtained per metric ton of the
original mixture? Solubility of MgSO4 at 15°C is 0.245parts MgSO4 per part solution.

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Req’d: C/Metric ton Feed MgSO4 Balance:

𝑀𝑔𝑆𝑂4 0.245𝑘𝑔
Basis: 1000kg feed 0.35(1000) = 𝐶𝑥 ( ) + 𝐿(1 𝑘𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝑀𝑔𝑆𝑂4•7𝐻2𝑂

OMB: F= V+ L +C

1000kg= V+L+C C= 457.71 kg of Epson salt

V=0.04(0.65)(1000) = 26kg L=516.29kg

1000-26= L + C

Fertilizer Problem

-3 major concepts of fertilizer


Nitrogen (N)

Phosphorus (P)

Potassium (K)
NPK are expressed in terms of ratio of percentages.
Example:
- 2 – 12 – 6 = N – P – K
- This means the fertilizer is composed of 2% N2, 12% P2O5, and 6% K2O

1. Find the amount of each of the following components necessary to make 1000kg of a 2 – 12 – 6 NPK fertilizer:
NaNO3, 98% pure Ca3(PO4)2 KCl 97% pure Inert fillers

Inert Fillers (Z)

Ca3(PO)2 (W)

NaNO3 (X) 1000kg

98% pure 2 – 12 – 6 NPK

2% N2

12% P2O5
KCl (Y) 6% K2O
97% pure

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Req’d: W, X, Y, Z P2O5 balance

141.94724𝑘𝑔 𝑃2𝑂5
Basis: 1000kg of 2 – 12 – 6 Fertilizer (𝑊) ( ) = 1000(0.12)
310.18124𝑘𝑔 𝐶𝑎3(𝑃𝑂4)2

OMB: W + X + Y + Z = 1000 W= 262.22kg

N2 BALANCE:
28.02𝑘𝑔 𝑁2
0.98(𝑋) (2𝑥 85𝑘𝑔 𝑁𝑎𝑁𝑂3) = 1000(0.02) K2O balance

94.1966𝑘𝑔 𝐾2𝑂
X= 123.82 kg 0.97(𝑌) (2𝑥 74.5483𝑘𝑔 𝐾𝐶𝑙) = 1000(0.06)

Y= 97.97 kg

Z = 1000 – 123.82 – 262.22 – 97.97 = 515.99

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Price Adjustment Problem

1. A contract is drawn up for the purchase of paper containing 5% moisture at a price of P 0.70/kg. It is provided
that, if the moisture content varies from 5%, the price per kg shall be proportionately adjusted in order to keep
the price of the bone-dry paper constant. In addition, if the moisture content exceeds 5%, the purchaser shall
deduct from the price paid by the manufacturer, the freight charges due to the excess moisture. If the freight
rate is P 0.90/100kg, calculate the price to be paid for 3tonnes of paper delivered containing 8% moisture.

Solution:
Contract:
Paper Containing 5% moisture Delivered = paper containing 8% moisture

P 0.70/kg

Freight rate: P 0.90/100kg

Req’d: price to be paid for 3 tonnes of paper containing 8% moisture.

H2O (W)

Paper (X) 3000kg

5 % moisture Paper 8% moisture

OMB: x + y = 3000

Bone-Dry paper balance : 0.95(x) = 0.92 (3000)

X= 2905.26 kg of paper containing 5% moisture

Y= 94.74 kg of excess moisture

Price to be paid for paper with 8% moisture

𝑷 𝟎. 𝟕𝟎 𝑷 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎
𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆 = (𝟐𝟗𝟎𝟓. 𝟐𝟔𝒌𝒈 𝒙 ) − (𝟗𝟒. 𝟕𝟒 𝒙 )
𝒌𝒈 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈
Price= 2032. 83 pesos

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

MATERIAL BALANCE IN MULTIPLE PROCESSES

1. Clay slurry is to be processed to dry clay containing only 2% moisture. The slurry, containing 45kg clay per
1000kg slurry is to settle in a thickener where part of the water (free of solids) is allowed to overflow. 3.5 kg of
concentrated sludge per 15kg of slurry leave the thickener and go through a filler where 99% of the solids in the
sludge is collected in the form of a wet filler cake. The wet filler cake weighs 1.5kg per kg of dry solids in the
cake. The wet cake is finally sent to a dryer where most of the remaining water is made to evaporate. On a basis
of 2000kg of concentrated sludge. Make a complete material balance for the system.

SOLUTION

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Material Balance with Chemical Reactions

Take note: We can’t use component balance and mole balance in this kinds of problem.

1. The successive reactions in the manufacture of HCl from salt and sulphuric acid may be presented by the
following equations:

NaCl + H2SO4 = NaHSO4 + HCl

NaCl + NaHSO4 = Na2SO4 + HCl

In the practice salt is treated with aqueous sulfuric acid containing 75% H 2SO4 in slight excess of the quantity required
to combine with all the salt to form Na2SO4. Although the first reaction proceeds readily, strong heating is required for
the second. In both stpes, the process HCl and water vapour are evolved from the reaction mass. “Salt Cake” prepared
by such a process was found to have the following composition: 91.48% Na2SO4, 4.79%NaHSO4, 1.98% NaCl, 1.35% H2O
and o.4% HCl. The salt used in the process is dry and may be assumed to be pure NaCl. On a basis of 1000kg of salt
charged.

Calculate

a) Weight of acid added, weight of salt cake formed and weight of each gas driven off.
b) % percent conversion of NaCl in the first reaction

Solution:
HCl and H2O vapour

(Y)

NaCl Salt cake (Z)

1000kg 91.48% Na2SO4

4.79% NaHSO4

1.98% NaCl

1.35% H2O
(X) 0.4% HCl
75% H2SO4

Basis: 1000kg NaCl

OMB: x + 1000 = y + z

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Na BALANCE:
22.9898𝑘𝑔 𝑁𝑎 2 𝑥 22.9898𝑘𝑔 𝑁𝑎 22.9898𝑘𝑔 22.9898𝑘𝑔
1000 ( ) = 𝑧(0.9148) ( ) + 𝑧(0.0479) ( ) + 𝑧(0.0198) ( )
58.4433 𝑘𝑔 𝑁𝑎𝑐𝑙 142.0431 𝑘𝑔 𝑁𝑎2 𝑆𝑂4 120.06𝑘𝑔 𝑁𝑎𝐻𝑆𝑂4 58.4433𝑘𝑔

Z= 1255.92 kg of salt cake

S BALANCE
32.066𝑘𝑔 𝑆 32.066𝑘𝑔 𝑆 32.066𝑘𝑔 𝑆
𝑥(0.75) ( ) = 𝑧(0.9148) ( ) + 𝑧(0.0479) ( )
98𝑘𝑔 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 142.0431𝑘𝑔 120.06 𝑘𝑔
X= 1122.88 kg of H2SO4 Solution

Y= 866.98kg of gaseous mixture

Kg H2O vapor in Y = H2O in H2SO4 solution – H2O in salt cake

= (0.25)(1122.88) – (0.0135)(1255.92)

= 263.77 kg

Kg HCl in Y = 866.98- 263.77

= 603.21 kg
𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒓𝒙𝒏 𝟏
% 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍 = 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒓𝒙𝒏 𝟏
0.75(1122.88)
% 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 = 98 𝑥100 = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟐𝟐%
17.11𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙

2. In the deacon process for the manufacture of Cl2, a mixture of HCl gas and air is passed over a heated catalyst
which promotes oxidation of the acid. Air is used in 30% excess of that theoretically required.
a) Calculate per kg of acid, the kg of air supplied.
b) Mass composition of the gas mixture entering the reaction chamber.
c) Wt% composition of the gases leaving the chamber assuming 60% of the acid is oxidized.

Solution:

OMB: X + Y = P
HCl Gas
Cl2
Basis: 100kgmol air
(X)
H2O

(P)

Air 30% x’ss (Y)

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

4𝐻𝐶𝑙 + 𝑂2 → 2𝐶𝑙2 + 2𝐻2 𝑂

100𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴𝑖𝑟 − 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜 𝐴𝑖𝑟
0.3 =
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜 𝐴𝑖𝑟
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜 𝐴𝑖𝑟 = 76.92𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴𝑖𝑟

76.92𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑎𝑖𝑟(0.21) = 16.15𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2

4𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙 36.45𝑘𝑔

16.15𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 𝑥 𝑥 = 2355.23 𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙
1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝐶𝑙

28.84𝑘𝑔
76.92𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑥 = 2218.37𝑘𝑔 𝐴𝑖𝑟
1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝐾𝑔 𝑎𝑖𝑟 100𝑥28.84
= = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟐
𝐾𝑔 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 2355.23
32𝑘𝑔
100𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑎𝑖𝑟(0.21) = 21𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 𝑥 = 672 𝑘𝑔 𝑂2
1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙
28𝑘𝑔
100𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑎𝑖𝑟(0.79) = 79𝑘𝑔 𝑁2 𝑥 = 2212𝑘𝑔 𝑁2
1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 2355.23𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 5239.23𝑘𝑔
2212
%𝑁2 = 𝑥100 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟐𝟐%
5239.23
672
%𝑂2 = 𝑥100 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟖𝟑%
5239.23
2355.23
%𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 𝑥100 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟗𝟓%
5239.23

2355.23𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙(0.6) = 1413.14𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙

2𝑥70.9
1413.14𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑥 = 1374.37𝑘𝑔 𝐶𝑙2
4𝑥36.45

2𝑥18
1413.14𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑥 = 348.92𝑘𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂
4𝑥36.45

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

1𝑥32
1413.14𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙𝑥 = 310.15𝑘𝑔 𝑂2
4𝑥36.45

𝑥 ′ 𝑠𝑠𝐻𝐶𝑙 = 2355.23 − 1413.14 = 942.09𝑘𝑔 𝐻𝐶𝑙

𝑥 ′ 𝑠𝑠𝑂2 = 672 − 310.15 = 361.85𝑘𝑔 𝑂2

𝑁2 = 2212𝑘𝑔
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 5239.23

%O2 = 6.9% %Cl2 = 26.23%

%HCl = 17.98% %H2O = 6.66%

%N2 = 42.22%

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Vapor Pressure Calculations:

-If the vapor and liquid of a pure component are in equilibrium, then a simple empirical equation that correlates vapor
pressure-temperature data is Antoine Equation.

𝐵
𝐴𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: ln 𝑃° = 𝐴 −
𝐶+𝑇
Where: P°= vapor pressure

T= temp in K

A,B,C = Constants

Note: if Log is used instead of ln, the same equation will be used but the temperature will be in °C

Vapors and Saturation

 @ equilibrium PA = PA°
𝑷𝑨 𝒏𝑨
 = 𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍
𝑷𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍

1. What is the minimum number of m3 of dry air at 20°C and 100kpa necessary to evaporate 6kg of ethyl alcohol
if the total pressure remains constant @ 100kpa and the temperature remains at 20°C? Assume that air is blown
through the alcohol to evaporate it in such a way that the exit pressure is at 100kpa.

Solution:
1592.864
log(𝑃°) = 8.1122 −
226.184 + 20
100kpa = 760.06mmHg
P°= 43.85mmHg
𝑃𝑉 𝑃𝑉𝑚
( ) 𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 = ( ) 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑇 𝑇
𝑛 𝐶2 𝐻5 𝑂𝐻 𝑃 𝐶2 𝐻5 𝑂𝐻
( )=( )
𝑛 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑃 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟

6𝑘𝑔
( )
46𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙 = 43.85𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔
𝑛 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟 750.06 − 43.85
n dry air = 2.1kgmol

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

@ 20°C: P°EtOH = 43.85mmHg = P EtOH

22.4𝑚3 293𝐾 760𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔

𝑉 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 2.1𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 = 𝟓𝟏. 𝟐𝒎𝟑
𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 273𝐾 750.06𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔
2. A mixture of air and benzene contains 10% mole benzene at 43°C and 105kpa pressure.
At what temperature does the first liquid form?

Solution:
Basis: 1 gmol of air mixture

Mole % C6H6 = 10% T= 43°C

Mole % Air = 90% P=105kpa = 787.56mmHg

𝑛 𝐶6 𝐻6 𝑃 𝐶6 𝐻6
=
𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
0.1 𝑃 𝐶6 𝐻6
=
1 787.56
𝑃 𝐶6 𝐻6 = 78.756 = 𝑃° 𝐶6 𝐻6
A= 6.8927
1203.531
B=1203.531 log 𝑃° = 6.8927 − 𝑇+219.88

C=219.88 T = 20.999 °C

NOTE:

 At saturation, PA=PA°, the gas phase can’t accommodate any more vapor from the liquid phase. Any attempt in
adding more vapor from the liquid phase (increasing P) will lead to condensation. The temp at this point is known
as Dew point.

 When the partial pressure of the vapor in the gas phase is less than vapor pressure ( PA < PA°) then the vapor is
referred to as a Partially saturated vapor or super-heated vapor.

 Dew point = temperature at which water vapor just starts to condense.

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

3. The dew point of water in atmospheric air is 82°F what is the mole fraction of water vapor in air if the
barometric pressure is 750mmHg.

Solution:
T dew pt. = 82°F = 27.78°C
1750.286
A= 8.10765 log 𝑃° = 8.10765 − 235+27.28

B=1750.286 P°= 27.99mmHg

C=235
𝑛 𝐻2 𝑂 𝑃 𝐻2 𝑂
=
𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝑛 𝐻2 𝑂 27.99
= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟕𝟑
𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 750
Partial Saturation and Humidity

1. Relative Saturation(RS) or Relative Humidity(RH)

𝑃 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟
𝑅𝑆 = 𝑃 𝑠𝑎𝑡′𝑑
Where: P vapor = partial pressure of the vapor in the gas mixture
P sat’d = partial pressure of the vapor in the gas mixture
If the gas were saturated at the given temp

𝑃𝐴 𝑃𝐴⁄ 𝑉𝐴⁄
𝑅𝑆 = = 𝑃𝑡 = 𝑉𝑡 = 𝑛𝐴 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐴
𝑃𝐴° 𝑃𝐴°⁄ 𝑉𝑠𝑎𝑡′𝑑⁄ 𝑛 𝑠𝑎𝑡′𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑎𝑡′𝑑
𝑃𝑡 𝑉𝑡
IF it is water vapor-air
𝑃𝐻2 𝑂
𝑅𝐻 =
𝑃°𝐻2 𝑂

2. Molal saturation
𝑛 𝑉𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
𝑛 𝑉𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟 ∙ 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑠
𝑛1 𝑃1 𝑉1 𝑛1 𝑃1 𝑉1
= = = = =
𝑛2 𝑃2 𝑉2 𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑛1 𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃1 𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑉1

3. Humidity

(𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟)(𝑀𝑊 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟) 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟

𝐻𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦 = =
(𝑛 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟)(𝑀𝑊 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑔𝑎𝑠) 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑔𝑎𝑠

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

4. Absolute saturation/Humidity or Percentage saturation/Humidity

𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃1°
𝐴𝑆 = 𝑅𝑆 ( )
𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃1
Example:

1. The percent absolute humidity of air @ 30°C and a total pressure of 750mmHg is 20%. Calculate
a) %RH
b) H
c) P H2O

@30°C P°(H2O) using antoine equation = 31.83mmHg

𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃1°
𝐴𝐻 = 𝑅𝐻 ( )
𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃1
𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃1°
𝐴𝑆 = 𝑅𝑆 ( )
𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃1
𝑃 𝐻2 𝑂 750 − 31.83
0.2 = ( )( )
31.83 750 − 𝑃 𝐻2 𝑂
P H2O = 6.59mmHg

6.59
%𝑅𝐻 = 𝑥100 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟕%
31.83

18𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐻2 𝑂 𝑃 𝐻2 𝑂 𝐻2 𝑂
𝐻= =( ) ( 𝑚𝑜𝑙 )
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑃 𝐻2 𝑂 29𝑘𝑔
𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑚𝑜𝑙
6.59 18
𝐻= ( ) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓𝟓
750 − 6.59 29

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

1. To avoid dehydration of drugs in a container, you remove all (0.93kg) of H2O from the moist air in the container
at 15°C and 98.6 kpa by absorption in silica gel. The same air measures 1000m 3 @ 20°C and 108kpa when dry.
What was the %relative humidity of the moist air?

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

2. Soil contaminated w/ polyaromatic hydrocarbons can be treated w/ hot air and steam to drive out
contaminants. If 30m3 of air at 100°C and 98.6kpa w/ a dew point of 30°C are introduced into the soil, and in
the soil the gas cools to 14°C at a pressure of 109.1kpa, what fraction of the water in the gas @ 100°C
condenses out in the soil?

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Practice Problems
MIXING
1. Chlorine gas containing 2.4%O2 is flowing through an earthenware pipe. The gas flow is measured by
introducing air into it at the rate of 3.25 m3/min and further down the line, after mixing is complete,
removing a sample of the gas for analysis. The gas is now found to contain 10.85%O 2. How many m3/min
of the gas were flowing through the pipe?

2. It is desired to measure the rate at which waste gases are passing up a stack. The gases entering contain
2.1% CO2 by wt. Pure CO2 is introduced at the bottom of the stack at a measured at a rate of 2.2kg/min. It
is found that the gases leaving the stack contain 3.2%CO2 by wt. Calculate the rate of flow in kg/min of the
entering gases.

DRYING

1. A tunnel drier is designed to dry wet sand continuously. 1000kg of wet sand is to be dried per hour from
30% moisture(wb) to 9% moisture (db). How much water is evaporated/hr?

2. Wood chips are to be dried in a rotary drier from 35% moisture to 12% moisture. If 10kg of wet wood is
charged/min, how much product can be obtained over an 8hr period? Find the ratio of kg water
evaporated/kg wet wood charged.

FERTILIZER

1. 10,000kg of a 5-10-5 NPK fertilizer is available. It is desired to convert it to a 3-12-12 NPK by the addition
of appropriate amounts of: NaNO3; CaHPO4; KCl; inert fillers. How much of each material should be mixed
to produce 2000kg of final product?

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

2. It is desired to manufacture a fertilizer with a formula of 2-12-6 NPK from ammonium nitrate, calcium
phosphate, potassium chloride of 90% purity and inert fillers. How much of each material should be mixed
to produce 2000kg of final product?

PRICE ADJUSTMENT

1. A company uses a certain chemical in 20% wt solution in water in one of its manufacturing processes. A
long term contract for purchase of large quantities of the chemical is made with a supplier. The contract
sets a price of P 0.50/kg for a 50% wt solution, with provision for price adjustment if the concentration is
different. A shipment of 20 tonnes is analyzed and found to be 45% wt freight and handling cost paid
directly to the carrier amount to P 0.10/kg. The supplier submits a bill for P9,000. Is this bill correct?

2. A company has a contract to buy NaCl of 98% purity (2% insoluble impurity) for P 500/tonne delivered. Its
last shipment of 10 tonnes was only 90% pure (10% insoluble impurity).

a) How much should it pay for the shipment if the freight rate is P 5/100kg?
b) How much of this 90% material should be added to 100m3 of water to make a 5% wt solution.

EVAPORATION

1. A certain evaporator is designed to evaporate 30,000kg of water per hour. A solution containing 10% salt
is to be concentrated to 40% salt. What must be the feed rate and how much thick liquor product is
obtained?

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

2. It is desired to concentrate a 6% KNO3 solution in water to 20% KNO3 solution. 7000kg of product liquor is
to be needed/hr. How much solution must be charged? How much water is evaporated?

CRYSTALLIZATION

1. One tonne of a 30% solution of soda ash, Na2CO3 in water is cooled slowly to 20°C. During cooling, 10% of
the water originally present is evaporated precipitating out sal soda, Na2CO3•10H2O. If the solubility of
soda ash at 20°C is 21.5 parts/100 parts water, what weight of sal soda crystallizes out?

DISTILLATION

1. 100kmol of a benzene-toluene mixture in equimolal amounts is distilled. 96% of the benzene is obtained
in the distillate product while 90% of the toluene in the bottoms. Calculate the composition of the product
streams.

2. A process plant needs two ethyl-alcohol-water solutions, one containing 90% ethanol and the other 60%
ethanol. A dilute mixture containing 35% ethanol is available. The 60% solution is withdrawn at the rate of
1000kg/h. If the bottoms is to contain no more than 3% ethanol and only 5% of the alcohol in the feed
should be lost in this stream, calculate the flow rates of all the unknown streams.

MATERIAL BALANCE WITH CHEMICAL REACTIONS

1. Pure CO2 may be prepared by treating limestone with aqueous sulfuric acid. The limestone used contained
CaCO3, MgCO3 and inerts. The acid used contained 12%H2SO4. The residue from the process had the
following composition: 8.56% CaSO4, 5.23% MgSO4, 1.05% H2SO4, 0.53% inerts, 0.12% CO2 and the rest
water. During the process the mass was warmed and CO2 and water vapor were removed. Calculate:

a) Analysis of the limestone

b) % excess acid used
c) Wt and analysis of the material distilled from the reaction per 1000kg of limestone treated.

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

2. Barium carbonate is commercially important as a basis for the manufacture if other barium compounds. In its
manufacture, barium sulfide is first prepared by heating the natural sulfate, barytes with carbon. The barium
sulfide is extracted from this mass with water and the solution treated with sodium carbonate to precipitate the
carbonate of barium. In the operation of such a process it is found that the solution barium sulfide formed contains
also some calcium sulfide, originating from impurities in the barytes. The solution is treated with sodium
carbonate, and the precipitated mass of calcium and barium carbonates is filtered off. It is found that 16.45kg of
dry precipitate are removed from each 100kg of filtrate collected. The analysis of the precipitate is: 9.9% CaCO 3
and 90.1%BaCO3. The analysis of the filtrate is 6.58% Na2S, 2.25%Na2CO3 and 90.9%H2O. The sodium carbonate for
the precipitation was added in the form of anhydrous soda ash which contained CaCO3 as an impurity. Calculate:

a) %excess Na2CO3 used above that required to precipitate BaS and CaS
b) Composition of the original solution of barium and calcium sulfides
c) Composition of the dry soda ash used in the precipitation

2. In the common process for the manufacture of nitric acid, sodium nitrate is treated with aq. Sulphuric acid
containing 95%H2SO4. In order that the resulting “niter cake” may be fluid; it is desirable ti use sufficient
acid so that there will be 34% H2SO4 by wt in the final cake. This excess H2SO4 will actually be in combination
with Na2SO4 in the cake, forming NaHSO4, although for purposes of computation it may be assumed to be
free acid. The cake will contain 1.5% water and the reaction will go to completion, but 2% of the HNO3
formed will remain in the cake. Assume that NaNO3 used is dry and pure. Calculate per 100kg of NaNO3
Charged.

a) Wt and % composition of the niter cake

b) Wt of aqueous acid to be used
c) Wt of water vapor and nitric acid distilled from the niter cake

PARTIAL SATURATION AND HUMIDITY

1. A mixture of air and benzene is found to have a 50% relative saturation at 27°C and an absolute pressure of
110kpa. What is the mole fraction of benzene in the air?

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 ChE 312: Chemical Engineering Calculations

3. 947ft3 of wet air @ 70°F and 29.2mmHg are dehydrated. If 0.9416 of the water are removed, what was
the %RH of the wet air?

4. If a gas @ 60° and 101.6kpa has a molal humidity of 0.03, determine:

a) RH
b) %AH
c) T dew point

MATERIAL BALANCE INVOLVING VAPORIZATION AND CONDENSATION

1. To condition the air in an office building in the winter, 1000m3 of the moist air at 101kpa and 22°C abd w/
a dew point of 11°C enters the process. The air leaves the process at 98kpa w/ a dewpoint of 58°C. How
many kg of water vapor are added to each kg of wet air entering the process.

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