UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE

FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍA
ESCUELA DE INGENIERÍA QUÍMICA
INGENIERÍA DE LAS REACCIONES QUÍMICAS
740045M
Homework 1

Homework assigned on November 14th, 2019.

Due on November 20th, 2019.

1. 50 points
The following liquid-phase hydration reaction occurs in a 10,000 L CSTR:
𝐻2 𝑂
𝐴→ 𝐵

with a first-order rate constant of 2.5 ∗ 10−3 𝑚𝑖𝑛−1 .

 (20 points) What is the steady-state fractional conversion of A if the
feed rate is 0.3 L/sec and the feed concentration CA,o = 0.12 mol/L?
 (20 points) If the feed rate suddenly drops to 70% of its original value
and is maintained there, what is the fractional conversion of A after 60
minutes, and what is the new steady state fractional conversion?
 (10 points) What is the ratio of the steady-state productivity
(moles/time) of B for case b) relative to case a)?

2. 50 points
Consider the following irreversible reaction. The reaction take place in a PFR.

𝐴→𝐵

a. (25 points) Plot the profit and also the concentrations of each
components versus reactor volume.
b. (25 points) Calculate the highest profit and the equilibrium point.
The separations cost is not considered in this demonstration, but it
can significantly affect profit.

𝑃 = 𝑄0 ∗ (𝐶𝐵 − 𝐶𝐵0 ) ∗ 𝑃𝐵 − 𝑄0 ∗ 𝐶𝐴0 ∗ 𝑋𝐴 ∗ 𝑃𝐴 − 𝑉 ∗ 𝑃𝑅

$ $
where 𝑃𝐴 (𝑚𝑜𝑙) and 𝑃𝑅 (𝑚𝑜𝑙) are the costs of the reactant and reactor,
$ $
and 𝑃𝐵 (𝑚𝑜𝑙) is the value of the product. 𝑃 is the total profit (ℎ).
Additional information:
$
𝑃𝐴 = 4
𝑚𝑜𝑙
$
𝑃𝐵 = 53
𝑚𝑜𝑙
$
𝑃𝑅 = 5
𝐿 ∗ 𝑚𝑖𝑛
1
𝑘 = 0.1
𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑄0 = 10 𝐿/𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝐶𝐴0 = 5 𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝐿