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Spring, 2009
CHE 140A
Problem 1:
Houser and Lee [J. Phys. Chem., 71, 3422 (1967)] have studied the pyrolysis of ethyl nitrate using a stirred flow reactor. They have proposed the following mechanism for the reaction: Initiation:
k1 C2H5ONO2 C2H5O + NO2
Propagation:
k2 C2H5O CH3 + CH2O k3 CH3 + C2H5ONO2 CH3NO2 + C2H5O
Termination:
k4 2 C2H5O CH3CHO + C2H5OH
(a) What rate expression is consistent with this mechanism? (b) Since these investigators carried out their study in a stirred flow reactor, they were able to measure the reaction rate directly as a function of ethyl nitrate concentration. They have reported the following data:
Is the proposed mechanism consistent with these data? What are the order of the reaction and the rate coefficient that they observed experimentally?
Problem 2:
The endothermic liquid-phase elementary reaction A + B 2C Proceeds, substantially to completion in a single steam-jacketed continuous-stirred reactor (Table P8-5). From the following data, calculate the steady-state reactor temperature:
Reactor volume: 125 gal Steam jacket area: 10 ft
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Overall heat-transfer coefficient of jacket, U: 150 Btu/h ft2 oF Agitator shaft horsepower: 25 hp Heat of reaction, H Rx = +20, 000 Btu/lbmol of A (independent of temperature)
Problem 3:
The elementary irreversible organic liquid-phase reaction. A +B C is carried out adiabatically in a flow reactor. An equal molar feed in A and B enters at 27 C, and the volumetric flow rate is 2 dm3/s and CAO = 0.1 kmol/m3. (a) Calculate the PFR and CSTR volumes necessary to achieve 85% conversion. What are the reasons for the differences? (b) What is the maximum inlet temperature one could have so that the boiling point of the liquid (550 K) would not be exceeded even for complete conversion? (c) Plot the conversion and temperature as a function of PFR volume (i.e., distance down the reactor). (d) Calculate the conversion that can be achieved in one 500-dm3 CSTR and in two 250- dm3 CSTRs in series.
2
Problem 4:
Use the data and reaction in Problem 8-6 for the following exercises. (a) Plot the conversion and temperature of the PFR profiles up to a reactor volume of 10 dm3 for the case when the reaction is reversible with KC = 10 m3/kmol at 450 K. Plot the equilibrium conversion profile. (b) Repeat (a) when a heat exchanger is added, Ua = 20 cal/m3/s/K, and the coolant temperature is constant at Ta = 450 K.
Problem 5:
follows an elementary rate expression and takes place in a 1-m3 CSTR, into which the volumetric flow rate is 0.5 m3 min and the entering concentration of A is 1 M. The reaction takes place isothermally at 300 K. For an equal molar feed of A and B, the conversion is 20%. When the reaction is carried out adiabatically, the exit temperature is 350 K and the conversion is 40%. The heat capacities of A, B, and C are 25, 35, and 60 kJ/mol K, respectively. It is proposed to add a second reactor of the same size downstream in series with the first CSTR. There is a heat exchanger attached to the second CSTR with UA = 4.0 kJ/min K and the coolant fluid enters at 350 K. (a) What is the rate of heat removal necessary for isothermal operation? (b) What is the conversion exiting the second reactor?