CHE 354-001 Chemical Reactor Design Homework #5

Spring 2021 Due 2/29/21

1. The elementary gas phase reaction A → B is carried out in a 1,000 L constant-volume batch
reactor initially charged with 8,000 mol species A. At the operating temperature, the value of
the rate constant is 0.14 h-1.
a. Determine the time it will take (in hours) to reach 90% conversion of species A.
b. What will be the conversion of species A after 8 h?
c. Plot the conversion of species A over 25 h.

2. Given the elementary liquid phase reaction A + B → C with kA = 0.35 L/mol·h.

a. Calculate the conversion of species A after 3 h in a batch reactor if CA0 = CB0 = 8 M.
b. Calculate the volume of a CSTR necessary to reach 95% conversion of species A if the
feed is equimolar in A and B with CA0 = 8 mol/L and υo = 1 L/h.
c. Repeat part b for a PFR.

3. The second order gas-phase reaction A → B is carried out in an isothermal PBR at 300 K in
which pure A enters at CA0 = 0.2 mol/L. Currently, 60% conversion is achieved in a reactor
with 100 kg of catalysts for a volumetric flow rate of 100 L/min. The pressure-drop
coefficient is α = 0.0099 kg-1. If the activation energy for the reaction is 12,000 cal/mol, what
is the specific reaction rate constant at 400 K?

4. The elementary, gas-phase reaction A → B + C is carried out isothermally in a PBR with 200
kg catalyst. Pure A enters at 10 atm and 127°C with a molar flow rate of 2.5 mol/min. The
specific reaction rate constant at 50°C is 10-4 min-1, and activation energy is 85 kJ/mol. The
pressure drop coefficient, α, is 0.0035 kg-1.
a. Plot XA and y as a function of catalyst weight up to 200 kg catalyst. What is the
conversion and pressure exiting the reactor?
b. Now assume the reaction is reversible with KC = 0.025 mol/L. Calculate the equilibrium
conversion in the case of no pressure drop, then repeat part (a) for the reversible reaction
(without pressure drop).
Plot XA and y and calculate the conversion and pressure exiting a PBR for the reversible
reaction in part (b) with pressure drop also accounted for (α = 0.0035 kg-1).

5. Optional bonus problem (3 pts extra credit): Fogler P5-2.