SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS FOR

BASIC PRINCIPLES AND CALCULATIONS IN

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 6TH EDITION

David M. Himmeblau
The University of Texas

1996 by David M. Himmelblau

All rights reserved.
No part of this material may be reproduced,
in any form or by any means,
without prior permission in writing from the author.

ii

1996 by David M. Himmelblau

All rights reserved.
No part of this material may be reproduced,
in any form or by any means,
without prior permission in writing from the author.

iii

CONTENTS

Page
1.

Introduction to Engineering Calculations........................................................ 1

2.

Problem

3.

Material Balances................................................................................. 29

4.

Gases, Vapors, Liquids, and Solids ........................................................... 72

5.

Energy Balances................................................................................. 111

6.

Appendix A - Answers to Unsolved Problems.............................................. 164

7.

Appendix B - Data............................................................................... 169

Index.............................................................................................. 173

Solving.................................................................................. 24

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure

Page

Nozzles ................................................................................................ 2

Measuring tank pressure............................................................................10

U-Tube manometer..................................................................................12

Ammonia synthesis reactor.........................................................................17

Separation by pressure swing absorption ........................................................31

Separation by distillation ........................................................................... 34

Mixing (blending) ...................................................................................36

Gas flow measurement ............................................................................. 38

Measurement of gas concentration ................................................................39

10

Crystallization........................................................................................42

11

Furnace ...............................................................................................44

12

Evaporators ..........................................................................................49

13

Flash Combustion...................................................................................52

14

Absorption ...........................................................................................56

15

Slurry reactors .......................................................................................59

16

Solid-liquid-vapor separators ...................................................................... 60

17.

Separation by membranes .......................................................................... 81

18.

Gas compressors (Turbo Compressors)........................................................ 100

19.

Pumps and blowers ............................................................................... 112

20.

Annealing Ovens .................................................................................. 116

21.

Heat exchangers ................................................................................... 124

22.

Steam

23.

Furnace ............................................................................................. 142

24.

Dryers............................................................................................... 154

chest......................................................................................... 130

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PREFACE
For a long time students have sought out solved problems in addition to those provided as
examples in the textbook. Sources of such problems are related texts and old homework and
examination files, but these alternate sources are usually inconvenient to find and use.
To meet this demand I compiled in this supplement additional problems with detailed
solutions, problems that are quite similar to those in the text. In addition, I have added numerous
unsolved problems with answers (a frequent request for homework problem assignments). Each
set of problems conforms to the arrangement in my book "Basic Principles and Calculations in
Chemical Engineering, 6th edition, published by Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. The
notation used in the problems and solutions is the same as in the textbook.
To acquaint students with process equipment usually shown as black boxes in example
problems, a series of pictures, line diagrams, and short explanations have been inserted at
appropriate places in the supplement.
How can you use this supplement? For those individuals who after reading a problem look
first for a similar problem with a worked out solution, this supplement offers numerous examples
to follow. For those who have some confidence in their ability to solve problems but just want to
hone their skills by comparing their answers with known solutions, enough problems with
answers are given to make it impractical to solve all of them before moving on to the next topic.
Students who want to prepare for exams will find the problems with answers helpful. Finally,
those individuals who have trouble in developing consistent and fruitful strategies for problem
solving can make use of the detail solutions provided to improve their particular abilities.

David M. Himmelblau
Austin, Texas