SOLUTION KEY

Ch.E-301: Chemical Reaction Engineering Date: 30,10, 2019

Semester: 5th (2017 BSc Engg) Time Allowed: 90 Minutes
Assessment: Mid-term examination Total Marks: 30
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Note: Correctly label each question while answering. Clearly mention your registration number on the
graph paper in case attaching with the answer sheet.

Question No. 1: (9 marks) CLO-1

Briefly explain the importance of following parameters appearing in the reaction rate expression using (C2 level)
appropriate graphical representation.
1.1. Order of reaction
Order of reaction determines how the rate of reaction will depend on the reactant concentration.
Higher the reaction rate, greater will be the dependence of reaction rate on the reactant concentration.

1.2. Pre-exponent factor

Pre-exponent factor indicates the collision between reactant molecules. Higher the value of pre-
exponent factor, greater will be the probability of reactant molecules to convert to the products.
1.3. Activation energy
Activation energy suggests the magnitude of thermal activation of the reaction or energy barrier for
reactants to convert to the products. Higher the activation energy, slower will the reaction rate. The
value of activation energy can also reveal the underlying reaction scheme.
Question No. 2: (21 marks) CLO-2
(C3 level)
2.1. Experiment shows that the homogeneous decomposition of ozone proceeds with a rate

Suggest a two-step mechanism to explain this rate and state how you would further test this
mechanism. (9)
Overall reaction order = 1
Two-step mechanism:
O3 (g) → O2 (g) + O
O3 (g) + O → 2O2 (g)

To test the reaction mechanism:

1. Devise reaction scheme (involving possible elementary steps)
2. Write reaction rates for all elementary steps
3. Determine rate-expression based on the production/consumption in the elementary steps
4. Validate the reaction scheme with experimental data
5. If validated, chosen reaction scheme is correct, otherwise devise another scheme and follow
the procedure to determine the rate expression.

2.2. The liquid-phase reaction

Triphenyl methyl chloride (A) + Methanol (B) → Products (C)

was carried out in a batch reactor at 25°C in a solution of benzene and pyridine in an excess
of methanol (CB0 = 0.5 mol/dm3). Pyridine reacts with HCl, which then precipitates as
pyridine hydro-chloride thereby making the reaction irreversible. The reaction is first order
in methanol. The concentration of triphenyl methyl chloride (A) was measured as a function
of time and is shown below:

Show that the reaction is second order with regard to triphenyl methyl chloride and also
determine the rate constant. (12)

If reaction follows second order kinetics with respect to triphenyl methyl chloride, then the plot
between 1/CA vs time follows a straight line as expressed by equation below and the slope indicates
the magnitude of rate constant.
Check for the order and rate constant:

time conc 1/conc

0 0.05 20.00
50 0.04 26.32
100 0.03 32.68
150 0.03 39.06
200 0.02 45.05
250 0.02 51.28
300 0.02 57.47

70.00

60.00
y = 0.1248x + 20.118
1/conc (dm3/mol)

50.00

40.00

30.00

20.00

10.00

0.00
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
time (min)

The magnitude of rate constant is 0.128 (dm3/mol/min).