Module 1

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

1.0 Title of Experiment

Study on the effect of pressure, mixing and temperature between baking soda and acetic
acid
2.0 Objective
The objectives of this experiment are to identify the effect factors which affect the rate of
reactions
3.0 Introduction
If any of the products or reactants involved in a chemical reaction is gases, the rate of
reaction will decrease as pressure on the system is increased. The rate of reaction can be
increased if the movement of the reactants is increased as a result of mechanical mixing
(stirring). Nevertheless, it is inversely proportional with mechanical stirring, temperature
and reactant particle size.
A double displacement reaction has the form
AB + CD

AC + BD

where A, B, C, and D are atoms or ions. The reaction between acetic acid and baking
soda can be written as a double displacement reaction if carbonic acid (H 2CO3) is
considered a product:
HC2H3O2(aq) + NaHCO3(aq)

NaC2H3O2(aq) + H2CO3(aq)

Here A, B, C, and D are H +, C2H3O2-, Na+, and HCO3-, respectively. However, carbonic
acid readily decomposes into carbon dioxide and water,
H2CO3(aq)

CO2(aq) + H2O( )

and the carbon dioxide can escape from the solution as a gas.
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The combined equation is
HC2H3O2(aq) + NaHCO3(aq)

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

NaC2H3O2(aq) + H2O( ) + CO2(g)

At the end of this experiment, student should be able to identify the effect factor of rate of
reaction.

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4.0 Experimental Procedure
4.1

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

The effect of pressure to the rate of reaction

Part A. Rate of Reaction at Normal Pressure

1. Fill up 10ml of vinegar, HCH3O2 in the test tube. The vinegar should be at about
room temperature. Measure the vinegar temperature.
2. Weight 2g of baking soda NaHCO3 and drop the NaHCO3 into the test tube.
3. Measure the time required for the reaction between the baking soda NaHCO3 and
vinegar to be completed and measure the temperature. Record the time.
4. Repeat this experiment twice to get the average values.

Part B. Rate of Reaction Under Increased Pressure

(MAKE AURE YOU PUT ON YOUR SAFETY GOGGLES!)
1. Fill up 10ml of vinegar, HCH3O2 in the test tube. The vinegar should be at about
room temperature.
2. Weight 2g of baking soda NaHCO3 and drop the NaHCO3 into the test tube.
3. Immediately insert the cork stopper in the end of the test tube to slow down the
escape of carbon dioxide gas. The pressure being exerted upon the reactants inside
the test tube is equal to the pressure you feel being exerted against the cork.

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BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

Note: Do not try to stop all of the gas from escaping! If you try to do so, the test
tube will break. Just slow down the escaping gas as pressure builds up inside of
the test tube. That pressure acts upon the surface of the liquid. The liquid moves
in a direction that will relieve the pressure. The only direction, without breaking
the test tube, is upward and out. Avoid a total "blow-out" of the liquid from the
tube by releasing enough pressure on the cork from time to time to let gas and
liquid "squeeze" its way past the cork, in controlled amounts. This is a struggle;
you against the gas pressure.

4. When gas bubbles are no longer visible in the liquid contained in the test tube,
consider the reaction to be over. Observe and record the time of the reaction.
5. Release the pressure on the cork.

Note that the reaction starts again. Increase pressure on the cork and the reaction
stops.
Note that if there is still a small amount of baking soda left in the bottom of the
test tube. You have now reached the point when you are able to exert enough
pressure to be equal to the pressure being exerted by the gas inside the test tube.
As a result, the reaction stops. When you release your pressure, the reaction is
able to start again.
6. Remove the cork. Observe and record what happens to the remaining baking soda.
7. Repeat this experiment twice to get the average values

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4.2

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

Effect of mechanical mixing

Part A. Reaction With Stirring
1. Add 100 ml of water to 400 ml beaker. The water temperature should be at or near
room temperature.
2. Add 40 ml of vinegar solution to the beaker. Mix the vinegar and water.
3. Measure out 2g of baking soda.
4. Set the 400 ml beaker on a dark surface so as to provide good contrast with the
white NaHCO3. Add the measured 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to vinegar solution
and stir continuously.

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BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I
5. Measure the time required for all of the baking soda to be "used up" in the
reaction with vinegar. Record the time.

Part B. Reaction Without Stirring

1. Add 100 ml of water to 400 ml beaker.
2. Add 40 ml of vinegar solution.
3. Set the beaker on a dark surface so as to provide good contrast with the white
NaHCO3.
4. Add 2g of baking soda; no stirring!
5. Measure the time required for all of the banking soda to react. Record the time.

Part C. Effect of Stirring on Rate of Reaction Where Reactants are Already in

Solution
1. Add 200 ml of water to a 400 ml beaker.
2. Add 20 ml of vinegar solution to the 400 ml beaker.
3. Add 50 ml of water to a 100 ml beaker. Dissolve as much baking soda in the
water as possible.
4. Pour the saturated baking soda solution into the 400 ml beaker containing the
vinegar. DO NOT STIR THE MIXTURE.
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BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I
5. Measure the time that elapses before the vigorous bubbling action stops.
6. After two minutes, stir the solution. Observe and record the effect that the stirring
has on the reaction.

4.3

Effect of temperature
1.

Fill up 20ml of vinegar in a conical flask and heat up at certain temperature as

shown in Table 4.3. For colder temperature of vinegar, you may use ice or
refrigerator to cool the vinegar.

2.

Weight 2 g of baking soda and drop it into vinegar. Measure the time required for
tablet to fully dissolve. Be prepared to start and stop on time.

For Clean-Up
All solutions can be safely washed down the drain.

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BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

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5.0
DATA COLLECTION

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

Table 5.1
Without pressure

Trial
1
2
3
Average

Time of reaction
Pressurized

Observation:_____________________________________________________________
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Table 5.2
Trial
With Stirring

Time of reaction
Without Stirring
Stirring of saturated reactant

1
2
3
Average
Observation:_____________________________________________________________
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Table 5.3
Initial Vinegar temperature, C

Time of reaction

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60
40

BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I

30
20
10
Observation:_____________________________________________________________
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Table 5.4
Trial
Tablet

Time of reaction
Broken pieces
Powder

1
2
3
Average
Observation:_____________________________________________________________
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6.1 Discussion
1. In your point of view, which factor does affect the most rate of reaction?
Elaborate and justify your answer.
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BKF2741 Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory I
2. Does stirring have any effect on the Rate of Reaction if the reacting substances
are already in solution?
3. If you are an engineer, what would you recommend to the investor or client to
enhance the rate of reaction in Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR)

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