Chemical Engineering Fundamentals 2A

CEFCHA2

Lecture 2: Extent of Reaction

V Naidoo
JOB 4134
vizellen@uj.ac.za
Objectives

 Understand what is meant by the term “extent of reaction”

 Understand how to calculate the extent of reaction

 Understand how fractional percentage and extent of reaction are related

 Be able to use stoichiometric ratios and equations to do calculations which involve the extent of

reaction

 Be able to use stoichiometric and limiting/excess reactant principles in these calculations.

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 Extent of Reaction
The extent of a reaction is a parameter used to measure how far the reaction has
proceeded

Always positive
(+) for products
- final moles

Always negative - initial moles

(-) for reactants - stoichiometric ratio
The stoichiometric coefficient is negative for reactants and positive for products, so  is always positive
and increases as the reaction proceeds

It’s the same for all species in the reaction

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 Extent of Reaction
𝐴 +2 𝐵 3 𝐶
A:
Component A is completely converted during the reaction
0 = 2 – 1()
=2

2 mol A
B:
 = 5 mol B
= 5 – 2()
initial moles = 1 mol

∴=  + C:

final moles stoichiometric ratio

= 0 + 3()
= 6 mol

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Extent of Reaction
The extent of reaction () when combined with the stoichiometric coefficient (can express the amount of
that species reacted in a chemical reaction.

1 2

𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅
f =
1  = moles of Nitrogen reacted 𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒇𝒆𝒅
3  = moles of Hydrogen reacted
2  = moles of Ammonia reacted

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Example 1
The feed to a continuous ammonia reactor is comprised of 100 mol/s nitrogen, 300 mol/s hydrogen and
1 mol/s argon as an inert gas.
1 2

The percent conversion of hydrogen in the reactor is 60%. Calculate the molar flowrate of each species
as it exits the reactor?

𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
100 mol/s

300 mol/s

1 mol/s Ar
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Example 1

𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 Exit streams:

f =
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑓𝑒𝑑

f =
(𝑣 𝑖 )(ξ ) ¿100−60=40𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑠
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑓𝑒𝑑

f
3ξ
=
¿300−180=120𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑠
300

0 .60 =
3ξ
300
¿2(60)=120𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑠
60 mol

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Example 2
The oxidation of ethylene to produce ethylene oxide proceeds according to the equation:

2 +
ethylene oxygen Ethylene oxide

The feed to the reactor contains 100 kmol C 2 H 4 and 100 kmol O2. 𝑪𝟐 𝑯 𝟒
(1) Which reactant is limiting?
(2) What is the percentage excess of the excess reactant?
= 100%

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 Example 2: Part 1
2 +
ethylene oxygen Ethylene oxide

The feed to the reactor contains 100 kmol C 2 H 4 and 100 kmol O2

If the reaction proceeds, how much of the excess reactant will be left; how much C 2 H 4 O will be formed; and what is the
extent of reaction?

= = 50
= 50 kmol  =
= = 50
= 100 kmol

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 Example 2: Part 2
2 +
ethylene oxygen Ethylene oxide

The feed to the reactor contains 100 kmol C 2 H 4 and 100 kmol O2
If the reaction proceeds to a point where the fractional conversion of the limiting reactant is 50%, how much of each reactant
and product is present at the end, and what is the extent of reaction?

= 50 kmol 50 %
2ξ
f =
= 75 kmol 100

ξ =25
= 50 kmol
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 Example 2: Part 3
2 +
ethylene oxygen Ethylene oxide

The feed to the reactor contains 100 kmol C 2 H 4 and 100 kmol O2

If the reaction proceeds to a point where 60 kmol O 2 are left, what is the fractional conversion of C2 H4 ? The fractional conversion of O 2 ?
The extent of reaction?

2:1 = = 40
 =
80 kmol : 40 kmol
= = 40

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