PROBLEM SET 4 (Mixed problems)

1. A mixed flow reactor is being used to determine the kinetics of a reaction whose
stoichiometry is A → R. For this purpose various flow rates of an aqueous of 100mmolA/lit are
fed to a 1 liter reactor, and for each run the outlet concentration of A is measured. Find the rate
equation to represent the following data. Also for problems (i) to (V) assume that reactant alone
affects the rate.

(i). V (lit/min) 1 6 24
CA (mmol/lit) 4 20 50

(ii) V (lit/min) 0.15 0.50 1.5

CA (mmol/lit) 20 33.3 50

(iii) V (lit/min) 0.5 0.7 2 10

CA (mmol/lit) 25 30 50 80

(iv) V (lit/min) 1 2 3 5
CA (mmol/lit) 1 8 20 40

(v) V (lit/min) 1.5 2.5 12 32

CA (mmol/lit) 25 30 50 65

2. Pure gaseous ‘A’ at about 3atm and 30°C (120 mmol/lit) is fed into a 1 liter mixed flow
reactor at various flow rates. Reactant ‘A’ decomposes in the reactor and the exit concentration
of ‘A’ is measured for each flow rate. From the following data find a rate equation to represent
the kinetics of the decomposition of ‘A’. Assume that reactant ‘A’ alone affects the rate.

i. A → R

Vo (lit/min) 0.2 0.6 1.2 4.2

CA (mmol/lit) 30 60 80 105

ii. A → R

Vo (lit/min) 0.04 0.24 0.64 2.94

CA (mmol/lit) 30 60 80 105
 iii. A → 2R

Vo (lit/min) 0.25 0.9 2 8

CA (mmol/lit) 30 60 80 105

iv. A → 3R

Vo (lit/min) 0.06 0.48 1.5 8.1

CA (mmol/lit) 30 60 80 105

v. 3A → R

Vo (lit/min) 0.5 0.6 0.75 1.50

CA (mmol/lit) 30 60 80 105

vi. 2A → R

Vo (lit/min) 0.035 0.18 0.43 1.7

CA (mmol/lit) 30 60 80 105

3. For the gas reaction of problem 2(iii) find the volume of mixed flow reactor needed for
66.7% conversion of 9mol/min of CAo = 150mmol/lit feed of pure A.
4. For the gas reaction of problem 2(v) find FAo for 90% conversion of a C Ao=
240mmol/lit pure A feed to a 5 liter mixed flow reactor.
5. The reaction of A to R is run a number of temperature levels in a 1litre mixed flow
reactor. The feed is introduced at v = 1lit/min at a concentration 100mmol/lit and the
outlet concentration is measured. Find the complete rate equation for the reaction from
the following data.

i. Reaction is first order

T (°C) 16 25 31
CA (mmol/lit) 55.7 35.2 24.1

ii. First order reaction

T (°C) 4 12 24 30
CA (mmol/lit) 8.8 5.9 3.4 2.6