Problems on Batch Reactor-2

Prof. J. K. Basu
Problem-1
• Liquid A decomposes by first-order kinetics, and in a batch
reactor 50% of A is converted in a 5-min run. How much
would it take to reach 75% Conversion?

Solution: We have − ln 1 − 𝑋𝐴 = 𝑘𝑡
− ln 1 − 0.5 = 𝑘. 5, k=0.1386 min-1
For 75% conversion, − ln 1 − 0.75 = 0.1386. 𝑡
t= 10 mins Ans.
Problem-2
The first-order reversible liquid reaction A R, CA0= 0.5mol/L,
CR0=0, takes place in a batch reactor. After 8 mins, conversion
of A is 33.3%, while equilibrium conversion is 66.7%. Find the
rate equation.

Solution: A R, CA0= 0.5mol/L, CR0=0

-rA= k1CA - k2CR = k1CA0 (1-XA)- k2 CR0 (1+XA)

As CA0 XA = CR0 XR
-rR= k1CA - k2CR = k1CA0 (1-XA)- k2 (CR0+CA0XA)
 𝑑𝑋𝐴
• 𝐶𝐴0 = k1CA0 (1-XA)- k2 CA0XA
𝑑𝑡
𝑋𝐴𝑓 𝑑𝑋𝐴 𝑡
• 0
= 0 𝑑𝑡
𝑘1−𝑋𝐴 𝑘1 +𝑘2
1 𝑘1
• 𝑡=− 𝑙𝑛
𝑘1 +𝑘2 𝑘1−𝑋𝐴 𝑘1 +𝑘2
1 𝑘1
• =− 𝑙𝑛
𝑘1 1+𝑘2 /𝑘1 1−𝑋𝐴 1+𝑘2 /𝑘1
𝑘1 𝐶𝑅𝑒 𝐶𝑅0 +𝐶𝐴0 𝑋𝐴𝑒 𝑋𝐴𝑒
• 𝐾𝑒 = = = =
𝑘2 𝐶𝐴𝑒 𝐶𝐴0 1−𝑋𝐴𝑒 1−𝑋𝐴𝑒

𝑘2 1 1
• = −1= − 1 =0.4993
𝑘1 𝑋𝐴𝑒 0.667
 1 𝑘1
•𝑡=− 𝑙𝑛
𝑘1 1+0.4993 1−𝑋𝐴 1+0.4993
• Given at t = 8 min, 𝑋𝐴 =0.333
• 𝑘1 = 0.05767, 𝑘2 = 0.0288

• −𝑟𝐴 = 0.05767𝐶𝐴 − 0.0288𝐶𝑅 Answer



Problem-3
The irreversible reaction 2H2 + 2NO N2 +H2O is carried out in a constant volume
reactor using equimolar amounts of hydrogen and nitric oxide.
The reactor data is as follows.

Pt, mm Hg 200 240 280 320 326

t1/2 , sec 265 186 115 104 67

Find the overall order of the reaction

Solution:
𝑎𝐴 + 𝑏𝐵 → 𝑐𝐶 + 𝑑𝐷
𝑑𝐶𝐴
−𝑟𝐴 = − = 𝑘𝐶𝐴𝑎 𝐶𝐵𝑏
𝑑𝑡
Reaction is performed with a stoichiometric ratios throughout the reaction period.
𝐶𝐵 𝑏 𝑑𝐶 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 𝑎+𝑏
𝑎 𝑏
= and − 𝐴 = 𝑘𝐶𝐴 𝐶𝐴 =𝑘 𝐶𝐴 = 𝑘 ′ 𝐶𝐴𝑛
𝐶𝐴 𝑎 𝑑𝑡 𝑎 𝑎
By integrating for n≠1 gives
𝐶𝐴1−𝑛 − 𝐶𝐴0
1−𝑛
= 𝑘′(𝑛 − 1)𝑡
1 𝐶𝐴0 0.51−𝑛 −1 1−𝑛
For half-life period: 𝑡 = , 𝐶𝐴 = and 𝑡1 = 𝐶𝐴0 (44)
2 2 2 𝑘(𝑛−1)
2𝑛−1 − 1 1−𝑛
𝑡1 = 𝐶𝐴0
2 𝑘′(𝑛 − 1)
2𝑛−1 −1
• 𝑙𝑛 𝑡1/2 = 𝑙𝑛 + 1 − 𝑛 ln 𝑝𝐴0
𝑘′ 𝑛−1 𝑅𝑇 1−𝑛
• As H2 and NO are using in equimolar amounts 𝑝𝐴0 = 𝑝𝑇 /2

ln 𝑝𝐴0 4.65 4.79 4.94 5.08 5.09

𝑙𝑛 𝑡1/2 5.58 5.23 4.74 4.64 4.20
 6
5
4
3 y = -2.7143x + 18.205
ln t 1/2
2
1
0
4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 5 5.1 5.2

ln p A0
Slope= -2.714 = 1-n
So, n= 3.714 4
Problem-4
The aqueous reaction A R + S is carried out in a batch reactor with
CAo=0.183mol/l, CRo=0 and CSo=55 mol/l. The reactor data is as follows:

t, min 0 36 65 100 160 

CA,mol/l 0.183 0.145 0.122 0.103 0.0795 0.0494
Find a rate equation for this reaction.

Solution: -rA= k1CA - k2CRCS = k1CA0 (1-XA)- k2 (CA0XA )(CS0 +CA0XA )

As CR= CA0XA and CS = CS0 +CA0XA
At equilibrium, CAe= CA0 (1-XAe) , CRe= CA0XAe and CSe = CS0 +CA0XAe
• XAe= (CA0- CAe)/CA0= (0.1823-0.0494)/0.1823 = 0.73

CRe= CA0XAe =0.18230.73=0.1331

and CSe = CS0 +CA0XAe= 55+0.18230.73 =55.1331

At equilibrium, -rA= 0
𝑘1 𝐶𝑅𝑒 𝐶𝑆𝑒 0.1331×55.1331
= = = 149.06
𝑘2 𝐶𝐴𝑒 0.0494

𝑘1 = 149.06 𝑘2
𝑑𝑋𝐴
𝐶𝐴0 = 𝑘1 𝐶𝐴0 1 − 𝑋𝐴 − 𝑘2 𝐶𝐴0 𝑋𝐴 𝐶𝑆0 + 𝐶𝐴0 𝑋𝐴
𝑑𝑡
 Neglecting higher power of 𝑋𝐴

𝑑𝑋𝐴
= 𝑘1 1 − 𝑋𝐴 − 𝑘2 𝑋𝐴 𝐶𝑆0 + 𝐶𝐴0 𝑋𝐴
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑋𝐴
= 149.06𝑘2 − 204.06 𝑘2 𝑋𝐴
𝑋𝐴𝑑𝑡 𝑡
𝑑𝑋𝐴
= 𝑘2 𝑑𝑡
0 149.06 − 204.06 X A 0
149−204 XA
𝑙𝑛 = −204𝑘2 𝑡 At t=36 min, 𝑋𝐴 = 0.203
149
𝑘2 = 4. 45 × 10 lit/mol.min and 𝑘1 = 6.6 × 10−3 /min
−5

-rA= 6.6 × 10−3 CA - 4. 45 × 10−5 CRCS Ans.