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INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATE:
1. This question paper consists of ONE (1) question. Answer ALL questions.
2. All answers to a new question should start on a new page.
3. All the calculations and assumptions must be clearly stated.
4. Candidates are not allowed to bring any material other than those allowed
by the invigilator into the examination room.
EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS:
This examination paper consists of TWO (2) printed pages including front page
CONFIDENTIAL 2021I/BKF3472
−rA = kCA
1 + K ACA + K B C B
where k is surface reaction rate constant while KA and KB are the adsorption
equilibrium constants for A and B. State your assumptions clearly.
(10 Marks)
(b) The temperature is sufficiently high that only the case of very weak adsorption of
A and B is considered. The reaction rate constant, k is 0.2 dm3/(kg cat · min) at 370
K. The reaction activation energy, Ea is 4157 J/mol.
(i) Calculate the conversion that can be achieved after 10 minutes if the volume
of the reactor is 1dm3 loaded with 1 kg of catalyst.
(6 Marks)
(ii) The consultant claimed that at 370K, the catalyst was supposed to start
having deactivation. This deactivation was claimed to follow a first order
decay law and is independent of the concentrations of both A and B. The
decay constant, kd follows the Arrhenius equation and it is 0.1 min-1 at 370
K. The decay activation energy Ed is 16,628 J/mol. Calculate the conversion
of the reactor considering the same reactor volume, catalyst weight and
reaction time as in b(i).
(10 Marks)
(iii) Due to catalyst deactivation as in b(ii), a consultant suggested that to
increase 20% of the catalyst amount and operate at the same time in the
same reactor (i.e. same reactor volume) in order to have same or better
conversion as in b(i). As an engineer, verify this claim.
(4 Marks)
END OF QUESTION PAPER