Mass and energy balance

Dehydrogenation of ethylenebenzene to styrene

C6H5CH2CH3  C6H5CH=CH2 + H2 [1] ∆H𝑟 ° (600°C) = + 124.5 kJ/mol

Stoichiometry balance

C6H5CH2CH3 C6H5CH=CH2 H2
(ethylenebenzene) (styrene) (hydrogen)
Coefficient 1 mol 1 mol 1 mol
Molar mass (kg) 106.165 104.15 2
Weight (kg) 158.00 155.00 (product required) 3.00

i) The major reaction [1] is the irreversible endothermic conversion of

ethylenebenzene to styrene and hydrogen. This reaction proceeds catalytically with
high yield.

One pass conversion of ethylenebenzene (EB)

% conversion =
EB converted ¿ styrene+ hydrogen ¿ reactor ¿ x
EB mixed fed ¿
(155+3)
0.35 = x100
EBmixed
EB mixed = 451.43 kg/hr or 4252.15 mol/hr
Styrene produced = 155kg/hr or 1488.24 mol/hr
Hydrogen gas produced = 3kg/hr or 1500 mol/hr

Flow rate of the recycled ethylenebenzene

Unconverted recycle EB = 451.43 kg/hr – (155 kg/hr + 3 kg/hr)
= 293.43 kg/hr or 2764.30 mol/hr

Fresh ethylenebenzene feed rate

Fresh ethylenebenzene = 158 kg/hr or 1488.50 mol/hr (from the stoichiometry table)
Circulation rate of the water
Circulation rate of water depends on the amount of steam required to supply heat to
endothermic reactor. Heat of reaction, ∆H𝑟 ° (600°C) = 124.5 kJ/mol of
ethylenebenzene.

Q = ṁ ∆H𝑟° (600°C)

= 4252.15 x 124.5

= 529392.68 kJ/hr

Steam required to supply heat

Q = ṁ λ water @ 600°C

529392.68 = ṁ (2100 kJ/kg)

ṁ = 252.09 kg/hr

Amount of water circulated = amount of steam required

= 252.09 kg/hr or 14005.00 mol/hr

ii) Required rate of heat input for preheater (A), steam generator (F) and reactor (C)

Ethylenebenzene preheater (A) required heat input

Q = mCpliquid ∆t

= 4252.15 x 182 x (500 – 25)

= 367598367.5 J/hr or 367598.37 kJ/hr

Steam generator (F) required heat input

Q = mCpwater ∆t

= 252.09 x 4.187 x (700 – 25)

= 712463.06 kJ/hr
Reactor input (C) required heat input
As calculated in the circulation rate of water part, heat input (Q)
Q = 529392.68 kJ/hr