CH 2103 Chemical Process Calculations

Assignment 1
Submission date: 17th November 2014

Q.1 A liquid adhesive, which is used to make laminated boards, consists of a polymer
dissolved in a solvent. The amount of polymer in the solution has to be carefully controlled
for this application. When the supplier of the adhesive receives an order for 3000 kg of an
adhesive solution containing 13 wt % polymer, all it has on hand is (1) 500 kg of a 10 wt %
solution, (2) a very large quantity of a 20 wt % solution, and (3) pure solvent. Calculate the
weight of each of the three stocks that must be blended together to fill the order. Use all of
the 10 wt % solution.
Q.2 An evaporator is fed with a solution containing 10% sodium hydroxide, 10% sodium
chloride and the rest water. During evaporation, water is removed and sodium chloride
precipitates out as crystals, which are settled and removed. The liquor leaving the evaporator
contains 50% sodium hydroxide, 20% sodium chloride and the rest water. Calculate the feed
required for the production of 1000kg h-1 of crystalline sodium chloride.
Q.3 In a process for the manufacture of chlorine by direct oxidation of HCl with air over a
catalyst to form Cl2 and H2O only; the exit product is composed of HCl (4.4 %), Cl2 (19.8%),
H2O (19.8%), O2 (4%) and N2 (52.0%). What was
(a) the limiting reactant
(b) the percent excess reactant
(c) the degree of completion of reaction
(d) the extent of reaction
Q.4 A synthesis gas consisting of 24.3% N2, 75.2% H2, and 0.5% Ar is fed to an ammonia
converter mixed with the recycled stream. The single pass conversion of nitrogen is 10%. The
unconverted gases leaving the reactor are separated and returned to the reactor along with
fresh feed. In order to keep the concentration of Ar in the recycled stream below 1%, a
portion of the recycled is purged off. For 100 kg of fresh synthesis gas, determine the
following
(a) The moles of the recycle stream
(b) The moles of purge stream
(c) The amount of ammonia produced (kmol)
Q.5 Formaldehyde is produced in a catalytic reactor by dehydrogenation of methanol; per
pass conversion of methanol is 65%. Unreacted methanol is separated from the product
stream and recycled to the reactor. Calculate the flow rate of fresh feed and recycle feed
required for the production of 3000 kg/h for formaldehyde. Compute the recycle ratio.