Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT (BHU)

Chemical Reactor Analysis and Design (CHE504)

Assignment II
1) Diffusion through a Film to a Catalyst Particle
Species A, which is present in dilute concentrations, is diffusing at steady state from the bulk
fluid through a stagnant film of B of thickness δ to the external surface of the catalyst (See
figure). The concentration of A at the external boundary CAb and at the external catalyst surface
is CAs with CAb > CAs. Because the thickness of the “hypothetical stagnant film” next to the
surface is small with regard to the diameter of the particle, we can neglect curvature and
represent the diffusion in rectilinear coordinates as shown in Figure. Determine the
concentration profile and the flux of A to the surface.
Additional information

2) Rapid Reaction on a Catalyst Surface

Calculate the mass flux of reactant A to a single catalyst pellet 1 cm in diameter suspended in
a large body of liquid. The reactant is present in dilute concentrations, and the reaction is
considered to take place instantaneously at the external pellet surface (ie. CAs= 0). The bulk
concentration of the reactant is 1.0 M, and the free-system liquid velocity is 0.1 m/s. The
kinematic viscosity is 0.5 centistoke (cS: 1 centistoke = 10-6 m2/s), and the liquid diffusivity of
A is 10-10 m2/s.
3) Maneuvering a Space Satellite
Hydrazine has been studied extensively for use in monopropellant thrusters for space flights of
long duration. Thrusters are used for altitude control of communication satellites. Here, the
decomposition of hydrazine over a packed bed of alumina-supported iridium catalyst is of
interest. In a proposed study, a 2% hydrazine in 98% helium mixture is to be passed over a
packed bed of cylindrical particles 0.25 cm in diameter and 0.5 cm in length at a gas-phase
velocity of 15 m/s and a temperature of 750 K. The kinematic viscosity of helium at this
temperature is 4.5*10-4 m2/s. The hydrazine decomposition reaction is believed to be externally
mass transfer-limited under these conditions. If the packed bed is 0.05 m in length, what
conversion can be expected? Assume isothermal operation.