Homework Assignment 2, Due February

1. Determine the activation energy and frequency factor from the following data
k (min-1)
0.001
0.050
T (C)
0.00
100
Do this using k(T) = Aexp(-E/RT) and k(T) = ATnexp(-E/RT) with n = 1. What
is the percentage difference between the two activation energies? Calculate k at
1000C using both forms of the Arrhenius equation and find the percentage
difference between these. Plot k as a function of T over the range 100 to 400C
(try this with both linear graph axes and with semilog).

2. Taking H2 as the basis of calculation, construct a complete stoichiometric table

for the reaction
1/2N2 + 3/2H2 NH3
For an isothermal, isobaric flow system with equimolar feeds of N2 and H2. If the
entering total pressure is 16.4 atm and the entering temperature is 1727C,
calculate the concentrations of NH3 and H2 when the conversion of H2 is 60%. If
you took N2 as the basis of the calculations, could 60% conversion of N2 be
achieved (prove your answer).

3. We said that if the irreversible reaction

aA + bB cC + dD
was elementary as written, the rate expression was
-rA = kCACB.
If we take A as our basis and divide through our reaction equation by the
stoichiometric coefficient of A so that the equation is expressed as
A + b/a B c/a C + d/a D
will the kinetic rate expression then become
-rA = kCACBb/a
?

4. The gas-phase reaction

A B + C is carried out isothermally in a 20 L
constant volume batch reactor. Twenty moles of pure A is initially placed in the
reactor. The reactor is well mixed.
a. If the reaction is first order, and
-rA = kCA
with k = 0.865 min-1,
calculate the time necessary to reduce the number of moles of A in the
reactor to 0.2 mol.
b. If the reaction is second order, and rA = kCA2
with k = 2 L/mol/min,
calculate the time necessary to consume 19.0 moles of A.
c. If the temperature is 127C, what is the initial total pressure? What is the
final total pressure assuming the reaction goes to completion?

5. What would the overall conversion be using two 400 L CSTRs connected in
parallel, with half the feed going to each, if an A + B C reaction is carried out
at 10 atm, 227C, at 1.0 L of feed per second, with 41% A, 41% B and 18%
inerts, provided the following rate vs. conversion data:
-rA
0.2
0.0167
0.00488
0.00286
0.00204
X
0.0
0.1
0.4
0.7
0.9
What would be the conversion if the two were connected in series, with the same
feed conditions and rate vs. conversion data? What is the volume of a single
tubular reactor necessary to achieve 60% conversion if the molar feed rate is 2
gmol of A per minute? Finally, if the total pressure was reduced by a factor of 10,
would the conversion increase, decrease or stay the same?

6. The curve shown below is typical of a gas-solid catalytic exothermic reaction

carried out adiabatically. Assuming that you have a fluidized CSTR and a PBR
containing equal weights of catalyst, how should they be arranged for this
adiabatic reaction if you want to use the smallest amount of catalyst weight and
still achieve 80% conversion? What is the weight of catalyst needed to achieve
80% conversion in just the CSTR? What catalyst weight would be needed in a

CSTR for 40% conversion? What PBR weight is necessary for 80% conversion?
For 40% conversion? Additional information: FA0 = 2 mol/s. See problem 2-12 in
your book.

7. Discuss methods being examined to improve vehicle emissions control via the
catalytic converter.
One big problem is start-up. There are efforts to find ways of heating the
catalyst more quickly. This includes putting it on a metal substrate and using
electricity (via resistance) to rapidly heat up the catalyst.