PROBLEM 9.

4
The first-order irreversible reaction
A(l) B(g) + C(g)
Is carried out adiabatically in a CSTR into which 100 mol/min of pure liquid A is fed at 400K. The reaction
goes virtually to completion (i.e., the feed rate into the reactor equals the product of reaction rate inside
the reactor and the reactor volume).

How many moles of liquid A are in the CSTR under steady-state conditions? Plot the temperature and
moles of A in the reactor as a function of time after the feed to the reactor has been shut off.

Additional information:

Temperature 400 800 1200

k (𝒎𝒊𝒏−𝟏 ) 0.19 0.32 2.5
𝑯𝑨 (kJ/mol) -38 -30 -22
𝑯𝑩 (kJ/mol) -26 -22 -18
𝑯𝑪 (kJ/mol) -20 -16 -12

SOLUTION:
MOLE BALANCES:

𝑑𝑁𝐴
𝐹𝐴𝑂 − 𝐹𝐴 + 𝑉𝑟𝐴 =
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑁𝐵
𝐹𝐵𝑂 − 𝐹𝐵 + 𝑉𝑟𝐵 =
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑁𝐶
𝐹𝐶𝑂 − 𝐹𝐶 + 𝑉𝑟𝐶 =
𝑑𝑡

 𝐹𝐴 = 0
 𝐹𝐵𝑂 = 𝐹𝐶𝑂 = 0
 𝐹𝐵 = 𝑉𝑟𝐴 ; 𝐹𝐶 = 𝑉𝑟𝐶
Simplifying:

𝑑𝑁𝐴
𝐹𝐴𝑂 + 𝑉𝑟𝐴 =
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑁𝐵
=0
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑁𝐶
=0
𝑑𝑡

RATE LAW:

𝑟𝐴 = −𝑘𝐶𝐴

STOICHIOMETRY:

𝑁𝐴
𝐶𝐴 =
𝑉

COMBINE:

𝑟𝐴 𝑉 = 𝑘𝑁𝐴

Energy Balance:

𝑑𝑇 𝑟𝐴 𝑉∆𝐻𝑅𝑋𝑁 − 𝐹𝐴𝑂 𝐶𝑃𝑖 (𝑇𝑂 − 𝑇)

=
𝑑𝑡 𝑁𝐴 𝐶𝑃𝑖

Solve for E:

0.19 𝐸 1 1
ln ( )= ( − )
0.32 𝑅 800 400

𝐸 = 3467

Solve for k:
3467 1 1
𝑘 = 0.19𝑒𝑥𝑝 [ ( − )]
8.314 400 𝑇

Solve for ∆𝐻𝑅𝑋𝑁 :

𝑘𝐽
∆𝐻(400) = −8 = ∆𝐻(800) = ∆𝐻(1200) = ∆𝐻(𝑇)
𝑚𝑜𝑙