ChE 344

Winter 2011
Mid Term Exam I + Solution
Thursday, February 17, 2011

Closed Book, Web, and Notes

Name_______________________________

Honor Code___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________
(sign at the end of exam)

1) ____/ 5 pts
2) ____/ 5 pts
3) ____/ 5 pts
4) ____/ 15 pts
5) ____/ 5 pts
6) ____/ 5 pts
7) ____/ 20 pts
8) ____/ 20 pts
9) ____/ 20 pts
Total ____/100 pts

_____ I have a Laptop with Polymath on it that I can bring to the 2 Midterm Exam.
nd

_____ I will need to use the computer lab for the 2 Midterm Exam.
nd
(5 pts) 1) Mole Balances, Chapter 1
The reaction
A + B → 2C
takes place in an unsteady PFR. The feed is only A and B in equimolar proportions.
Which of the following set of equations gives the correct mole balances on A, B
and C. Species A and B are €
disappearing and Species C is being formed.

Circle the correct answer where all the mole balances are correct
(a)
V dN A
FA0 −F A − ∫ rAdV =
dt
V dNC V
FB0 −F B − ∫ rAdV = Wrong sign for rA , should be + ∫ rAdV
dt
V dNC
−FC + 2 ∫ rAdV =
dt €
€
(b)
V dN A
FA0 −F A + ∫ rAdV =
€ 0 dt
V dN B
FB0 −F B + ∫ rAdV = Wrong sign for FC , should be −FC
dt
V dNC
FC + ∫ rC dV =
dt € €
(c)
V dN A
FA0 −F A + ∫ rAdV =
€ dt
V dN B
FB0 −F B + ∫ rAdV = All are correct.
dt
V dNC
−FC − 2 ∫ rAdV =
dt
(d)
V dN A
FA0 −F A − ∫ rAdV =
€ dt
V dN B V
FB0 −F B − ∫ rAdV = Wrong sign for −rA , should be + ∫ rAdV
dt
V dNC
−FC + ∫ rC dV =
dt €
€
Solution

€ Answer is (c).

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(5 pts) 2) Sizing, Chapter 2
For the gas phase reaction
A+B→C
equimolar amounts of A and B are to be fed, i.e., y = 0.5 and δ ≠ 0. The following
A0

the Levenspiel plot was constructed for a temperature of T = 318K and entering
pressure of P = 10 atm.
0

–4

FA0 3–
−rA
2
3
(m )
1

€
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
X
Note: δ ≠ 0
(a) What reactor type and size would you use to achieve 40% conversion?

Reactor Type __________ Volume __________

(b) What reactor type and size would you use to achieve 60% conversion?

Reactor Type ___________ Volume __________

(c) What reactor type and size would you use to achieve 20% conversion?

Reactor Type ___________ Volume __________

(d) What reactor type and size would you use to increase the conversion from 60%
to 80%?

Reactor Type ___________ Volume __________

Note: If more than one reactor type would work for any part (a – d), explain.

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(5 pts) 3) Rates, Chapter 3
Determine the rate law for the reaction described in each of the cases below. The rate
laws should be elementary as written for reactions that are of the form either A → B
or A + B → C

(a) The units of the specific reaction rate are

⎡ dm3 ⎤
k =⎢ ⎥
⎣mol ⋅ h ⎦
Law __________

(b) The units of the specific reaction rate are

€
⎡ mol ⎤
k =⎢ 3 ⎥
⎣dm ⋅ h ⎦
Law __________

(c) The units of the specific reaction rate are

€
⎡ ⎤
mol
k =⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣kg cat ⋅ h(atm) 2 ⎥⎦
Law __________

(d) The units of the specific reaction rate are

€
⎡1 ⎤
k =⎢ ⎥
⎣h ⎦
Law __________

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(15 pts) 4) i>Clickers Chapters 4 and 5
(2 pts) 4a) Consider the gas-phase elementary reaction
R → 2S
which takes place in a PFR in which R and inert I are fed. If the entering
concentration of R is cut by a factor of 5 while maintaining a constant entering
volumetric flow rate, υ , how will the conversion change?
0

Circle the correct answer.

A) X won’t change
B) X will increase
C) X will decrease
Explain

Solution
B) X will increase
dX −rR kC R 0 (1− X) (1+ εX)
= =
dV FR0 FR0

ε = y R0δ = y R 0 (2 −1) = y R 0

dX kC R0 (1− X) k (1− X)
= =
dV υ 0C R0 (1+ y A0 X) υ 0 (1+ y R0 )

⎛ 1 ⎞
y R0 ↓ then↓ ⎜ ⎟↑
⎝ 1+ y R0 X ⎠
dX
↑ X↑
dV
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

RT0 FR 0 + FI0
υ 0 = FT 0 = RT0
P0 P0
FI0 ↑ as FA0 ↓ to keep υ 0 constant.

(3 pts) 4b) The liquid phase reaction

A + B → 3C
€
follows an elementary rate law and is carried out in a constant volume batch reactor
with stoichiometric feed. For a batch reaction time of one hour the conversion is
50%. If the same reaction is carried out in a PFR at the same temperature in which
there is no pressure drop, for the same space time of one hour would the conversion
be

W11MidTermExamI.doc
 Circle the correct answer.
A) X > 50%
B) X < 50%
C) X = 50%
D) Insufficient information to answer definitively
Explain

Solution
C) X = 50%
−rA ≠ f (P) for liquid

(2 pts) 4c) For the isothermal, elementary gas-phase reaction

€ 2X → Z
how does the PFR volume required for a given conversion change with increasing
mole fraction, y , of X when the inlet concentration of X and inlet total volumetric
X0

flow rate remain constant? There is no pressure drop and only X and Inert I enter the
reactor.
Circle the correct answer.
A) V increases
B) V decreases
C) No change in V
D) Insufficient information to answer definitively
Explain

Solution
B) V decreases
1 1
υ = υ 0 (1+ εX) , δ = −1 = − ε = y X0δ = −y X0 2
2 2

−rA = kC 2X , C X = C X0
(1− X)
(1+ εX)
⎛ y X0 ⎞ 2
⎜1− X⎟
FX0 (1+ εX) 2 dX υ0 ⎝ 2 ⎠
V= ∫ 2 2
, V= ∫ dX
k C X0 (1− X) kC X0 (1− X) 2
1
y X0 ↑ (1− y X0 X) ↓ V ↓ also ↓ V↓
C X0

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(2 pts) 4d) If the following liquid-phase reaction is elementary and reversible, what is the rate
expression in terms of conversion when equimolar amounts of A and B are fed to
the reaction?
A⇔ B
Circle the correct answer.
[1− X] ⎛ 1+ X ⎞
A) − rA = kC A0 C) − rA = kC A0 ⎜[1− X] − ⎟
KC X ⎝ KC ⎠
2
⎛ ⎡ 1 ⎤⎞
B) − rA = kC A0 [1− X] D) − rA = kC A0 ⎜1− X⎢1+ ⎥⎟
⎝ ⎣ KC ⎦⎠

Explain

Solution
€
⎛ 1+ X ⎞
C) − rA = kC A0 ⎜[1− X] − ⎟
⎝ KC ⎠

⎡ C ⎤
−rA = k⎢C A − B ⎥
€ ⎣ KC ⎦

C A = C A0 (1− X)

C B = (Θ B + X)

C B = (1+ X)

⎡ (1+ X)⎤
−rA = kC A0 ⎢(1− X) − ⎥
⎣ KC ⎦

(3 pts) 4e) Consider the reaction

A→B
€
If the diameter of a PBR is doubled while keeping the turbulent flow mass flow rate,
m˙ , constant, what can be said about that factor by which the rate of pressure drop
(dy/dW) will be lowered?
Circle the correct answer.
€ A) It will be lowered by a factor of 4
B) It will be lowered by a factor of 16
C) It will be lowered by a factor of 32
D) It will be lowered by a factor of 48 or more
Explain

W11MidTermExamI.doc
 Solution
D) It will be lowered by more than a factor of 48.

m˙
G~ 2
, AC ~ πD2
D2

G 2 ⎛ 1 ⎞⎛ 1 ⎞ 1
α~ ~ ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟ =
AC ⎝ D4 ⎠⎝ D2 ⎠ D6

⎛ D ⎞6 ⎛ 1 ⎞6 α
α 2 = α⎜ 1 ⎟ = α 1⎜ ⎟ = 1
⎝ D2 ⎠ ⎝2⎠ 64

(3 pts) 4f) In a particular differential reactor experiment for the reaction

€ A→B
the entering volumetric flow rate is doubled, leaving all other variables the same.
How would you expect the measured outlet flow rate of B, to change under
conditions of differential reactor conversion?
Circle the correct answer.
A) Molar flow rate of product will go up
B) Molar flow rate of product will go down
C) No Change
Explain

Solution
C) No Change
FB = ΔW ⋅ rBʹ

rBʹ = −rAʹ
−rAʹ ≈ −rA0

FB = W (−rA0
ʹ ) Not a function of υ 0 .

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(5 pts) 5) Membrane Reactors, Chapter 6
(2 pts) 5a) Consider the gas phase reaction
⎯
⎯→
2A ←
⎯⎯ B + C
On the figure below is a sketch the molar flow rates F , F , and F for species A and B
A B I

as a function of membrane volume. The dark lines, A and B, represent the base case
while the lighter lines represents possible profiles when the mass transfer coefficient
€ figure correctly corresponds to an increase in the mass
for B, k , is increased. Which
CB

transfer coefficient k ?
CB

B
A
Circle the correct answer.

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Increase k CB

(1) (2)

Fi Fi
A A

B B

V V
(3) (4)

Fi Fi
A A

B
B

V V

Explain

Solution
Ans. A) 1: B diffuses out faster moving the reaction faster to the right so both the
concentrations of A and B are smaller.

W11MidTermExamI.doc
 As B is removed, the reaction will continue to proceed to the right. The rate at which
it proceeds to the right depends upon the rate of removal of B. If k is small in the
CB

conversion will always increase but at a very slow rate. If B is removed very very
rapidly, the reaction will behave as a irreversible reaction.
On the figure below sketch the molar flow rates F , F , and F as a function of IMRCF
A B I

volume.

(3 pts) 5b) Membrane Reactor 50% A and 50% I inerts

⎯
⎯→
2A ←
⎯⎯ B + C
Both B and inerts I diffuse out. Which of the following figures has the greatest mass
transfer coefficient for the inerts, k for the rate of removal of inerts? All other
CI

constants remain the same.

€
B I
A

Circle the correct answer.

A) 1
B) 2
Explain

Solution
B) 2
For large k , I diffuses out of the membrane and as a result that the concentration of
CI

C is increased for constant T and P.

A

P
C A = y A 0 , y I ↓ y A ↑ C A ↑ − rA ↑
RT0
Consequently the reaction rate will proceed more rapidly at the entrance to the
reactor before approaching equilibrium at some point down the reactor.

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(5 pts) 6) Analysis of Data, Chapter 7
(2 pts) 6a) From the following plot, what is the reaction order with respect to A?

Circle the correct answer.

A) 0
B) 0.5
C) 0.78
D) 1
E) 2
Explain

Solution
D) 1
Slope = 1.01 ≈ 1

(3 pts) 6b) The following reaction, batch experiments are conducted to evaluate the reaction
kinetics. The slope of a ln (r ) versus ln (C ) plot is measured to be 1.02 and the
B B

€ intercept is 0.42 when A is in great excess. What is the overall reaction order?

A + 2B → Products
Circle the correct answer.

A) 0.42
B) 1.02
C) 1.44
D) Can’t tell on the basis of this experiment
Explain

W11MidTermExamI.doc
 Solution
D) Can’t tell on the basis of this experiment
−rB ⎛ −r ⎞
−rA = = kCαACβB = ln⎜ B ⎟ = ln k + α ln C A + β ln C B
2 ⎝ 2 ⎠
Both C A and C B vary, need to find α by varying C A

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(20 pts) 7) Pressure Drop, Chapter 5
The gas phase reaction
A+B⎯ ⎯→ C + D
is carried out isothermally at 227°C in a packed bed reactor with 100 kg of catalyst.
The reaction is first order in A and first order in B.

The entering pressure was 20 atm and the exit pressure is 2 atm. The feed is equal
molar in A and B and is in the flow in the turbulent regime with F = 10 mol/minA0

and C = 0.244 mol/dm . Currently 80% conversion is achieved. Intra particle

A0
3

diffusion effects in the catalyst particles can be neglected.

(a) What is the specific reaction rate?

k = ________________

(b) What would be the conversion if the particle size were doubled and there are no
internal mass transfer limitations?

X = ________________

Solution
2 2 2 2
dX − rAʹ kCA0 (1− X) y kC2A0 (1− X) (1− αW)
(a) = = =
dW FA 0 FA 0 FA 0

X kC2A0 ⎡⎢ αW2 ⎤⎥
= W−
1 −X FA0 ⎢⎣ 2 ⎥⎦

2 12
y= = (1 − αW )
20

y2 = (1 − αW )

1− y2 1− 0.01 0.99
α= = =
W 100 100
α = 9.9 × 10−3
2⎡
0.9
=
( −3
k[0.244] ⎢ 100 − 9.9 × 10 × 10
⎢
4
) ⎤⎥⎥
1 − 0.9 10 ⎢⎣ 2 ⎥⎦

9 = k[0.059] [100 − 49.5] 10

W11MidTermExamI.doc
 k=
(9⋅ 10) = 30.2 dm3
(50.5)(0.059) mol min

(b) For the turbulent flow

1
α~
DP

D P1 α 1 9.9 × 10−3 kg−1

α2 = α1 = = = 4.95 × 10−3 kg−1
D P2 2 2
2 ⎡ 2⎤
X ( 30.2)(0.244) ⎢ 4.95 × 10−3 (100) ⎥
= ⎢100 − ⎥
1 −X 10 ⎢⎣ 2 ⎥⎦

= 0.18[100 − 24.7 ] = 13.5

X = 0.93

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(20 pts) 8) Modified California Problem P5-20 B

The elementary gas phase reaction

A+B→C+D
takes place isobarically and isothermally in a PFR where 50% conversion is
achieved. The feed is equimolar in A and B. It is proposed to put a CSTR of equal
volume upstream, i.e.,

of the PFR. What will be the intermediate and exit conversions X and X 1 2

respectively? The entering flow rates and all other variables remain the same as that
for the single PFR.

X = ________
1

X = ________
2

Solution
Case 1
dX
Mole Balance = −rA
dV
Rate Law −rA = kC AC B
Stoichiometry
€
Gas δ = 0, Θ B = 1
€
C A = C A0 (1− X)

€ C B = C A0 (1− X)
2
Combine −rA = kC 2A0 (1− X)
2
€ dX kC 2A0 (1− X)
=
dV FA0
€
dX kC 2A0
= dV
(1− X) 2 FA0
V=0 , X=0

V = V, X = 0.5
€
W11MidTermExamI.doc

€
 X dX X kC 2A0
∫0 = = V
(1− X) 2 1− X FA0

kC 2A0 0.5
V= =1
FA0 1− 0.5
Case 2
FA0 X
€ (1) VCSTR = −r
A

(2) & (3) Rate Law, Stoichiometry same as Case 1

FA0 X1
€ VCSTR = 2
2
(
kC A0 1− X1 )
VkC 2A0 X1
=1=
FA0 1− 2X1 + X12

1− 2X1 + X12 = X1

X12 − 3X1 + 1 = 0

3 ± 9 − 4 3 − 5 3 − 2.24
X1 = = = = 0.38
2 2 2
PFR X1 = 0.38
2 2
dX kC A0 (1− X) X2 dX kC 2A0V
= , ∫X =
dV FA0 1
(1− X) 2 FA0

V=0 X = X1 = 0.38

V=V X = X2

kC 2A0V 1 1
=1= −
FA0 1− X 2 1− X1
1 1 1
= 1+ = 1+ = 2.62
1− X 2 1− X1 0.62

1− X 2 = 0.38

X 2 = 0.62

W11MidTermExamI.doc
(20 pts) 9) P5-9 Study Problem on Syllabus.
B

The gas phase reaction

E = _______________cal/mol

Solution
P5-9

PFR
dX −rA kC A0 (1− X) k (1− X)
= = =
dV FA0 C A υ 0 (1+ εX) υ 0 (1+ εX)

X (1+ εX)dX = k dV = kτ
∫0 ∫ υ
€
(1− X) 0

1 ⎡⎡ 1 ⎤ ⎤
k = ⎢⎢(1+ ε)ln ⎥ − εX⎥
τ ⎣⎣ 1− X ⎦ ⎦
10dm 3
τ= = 2s
5 dm 3 s
ε = y A0 δ =1(1+1−1) =1
1⎡ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎤
k = ⎢(1+1)ln⎜ ⎟ − 0.8⎥
2⎣ ⎝1− 0.8 ⎠ ⎦
1
k = [2 1.61− 0.8] =1.209 at 300K
2
CSTR
FA0 X υ 0CA0 X υ 0 X(1+ εX)
€ V= = =
−rA (1− X) k(1− X)
kC A0
(1+ εX)

€
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 1
ε= (1+1−1)
2
ε = 0.5

1 X(1+ εX) 1 ⎡ 0.8(1+ 0.5(0.8))⎤

k= = ⎢ ⎥
τ (1− X) 2 ⎢⎣ 0.2 ⎥⎦

= 2.8
k E⎡1 1 ⎤
ln 2 = ⎢ − ⎥
k 1 R ⎣ T1 T2 ⎦
€
2.8 E⎡ 1 1 ⎤ E 20
ln =⎢ − ⎥=
1.21 R ⎣ 300 320 ⎦ R (320)(300)

E=R
(300)(320) ln 2.8 , R =1.987
cal
20 1.21 mol°K
cal
E = 8010
mol

W11MidTermExamI.doc