CEB2043 / CDB2043

Tutorial – Chapter 3

Question 1

Two well-known PETRONAS AMG senior engineers, Ir. Lewis Hamilton and Ir.
Sebastian Vettel have found a new formulation to yield a fuel called C that possess a
higher and better quality compared to the previous fuel Z. It is a simple combination of
an irreversible reaction of liquid Chemical A with another reactant called Fuel B. The
general equation of the reaction is as follows:

A + B → C (desired product) + D

After conducting an in-depth research, they found that the reaction is only suitable to
be carried out in a 20 dm3 isothermal-constant volume batch reactor and with a total
operating pressure of 1 atm and the constant temperature of 50°C. However, they are
doubtful and unsure about the rate law of the reaction and in order to acquire the rate
law, the mole of A, NA is varied. The following data was obtained by the two engineers
after conducting the experiment.

Run 1 2 3 4 5 6

NA 4.40 1.66 1.02 0.74 0.58 0.48

t (min) 0 20 40 60 80 100

a. List two (2) possible assumptions that can be made from the conducted
experiment.
[2 marks]

b. Before conducting the experiment, Ir. Lewis Hamilton predicted that the rate
law of the reaction to produce fuel C is 1st order with the k value of 0.5. Do you
agree with his prediction? Justify your answer through calculation.
[15 marks]

c. After conducting the experiment, the two engineers found out that the obtained
conversion, X is higher than the desired conversion. By using the same type of
 CEB2043 / CDB2043
Tutorial – Chapter 3

reactor, propose ONE (1) solution that can minimize the conversion in order to
obtain a reliable and accurate value of k and justify your answer.
[3 marks]

d. Two days after conducting the experiment, Ir. Lewis Hamilton has found out
that the reaction to produce Fuel C has a side reaction. The equation of the
side reaction is as follows:

B+C→E

Ir. Lewis Hamilton concludes that the value of k is affected. Do you agree with
his statement? Explain and justify your answer by sketching two graphs of
concentration profile and compare both with and without side reaction to
support your opinion.
[5 marks]
 CEB2043 / CDB2043
Tutorial – Chapter 3

Question 2

a. A reaction of reactant B was carried out at 40 oC to produce two products C

Time (min) CA (mol/m3)

0 100

3 90

7 85

20 60

30 54

55 30

60 29

62 26.5

i. Use a differential method to find the order,α and rate constant, k of the
reaction.
(8 marks)
ii. It is found out that the rate law is not very accurate. Suggest how to
improve the data collection and justify your answer.
(7 marks)
b. If you were to choose using CSTR reactor to find the rate law of an irreversible
reaction, how should you set the parameter (i.e. flowrate, initial concentration,
etc.) to obtain an accurate rate law? Explain.
(10 marks)
 CEB2043 / CDB2043
Tutorial – Chapter 3

Question 3

A research assistant is helping Professor Fazlynn to conduct an irreversible reaction

t(min) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Ca(mol/dm3) 0.0485 0.0350 0.0281 0.0250 0.0186 0.0161 0.0142

a) State THREE (3) assumptions that can be made for this process.
[3 marks]

b) Determine the rate constant, k and the order of reaction, α for this process by using
the differential method.

[12 marks]

c) Professor Fazlynn ask her research assistant to change the way they took the data.
She wants to start collecting the data when the time is above 120 min, and to
increase the temperature in order to increase the rate of reaction. The research
assistant does not agree with the suggestion. Based on your knowledge on data
analysis, which method is preferable in collecting the data? Justify your answer.
[10 marks]
 CEB2043 / CDB2043
Tutorial – Chapter 3

Question 4
Consider the following overall reaction to produce ethanoic acid.

(CH2CO)2O + H2O → 2CH3COOH.

The complex liquid phase reaction is carried out in a 2 dm 3 CSTR with initial
concentration of propanoic anhydride is given as 5 mol/dm 3. The experiments are
repeated six times with different volumetric flowrate, v0. After each experiment, the
outlet concentrations of propanoic anhydride were recorded and recorded in the table
below:

Number of run 1 2 3 4 5 6

V0 (dm3/min) 0.06 0.23 0.45 0.6 0.8 1.0

CA (mol/dm3) 0.018 1.116 2.292 1.914 3.559 4.094

a) State THREE (3) assumptions that can be made in this experiment.

b) The collected data has not been analysed. By using integral method, determine
the rate constant, k and the order of reaction, α of the reaction.
[12 marks]

c) After completing the analysis, the research officer showed the data to Prof.
Aisyah. She requested to increase the production of ethanoic acid by doubling
up the initial concentration of propanoic anhydride.
i. Evaluate the effect of this proposal to the rate constant, k and the order of
reaction, α.
[5 marks]
ii. Prof Aisyah also wants to increase the reaction temperature. Evaluate the
effect of this change to the process. Justify your answer.
[5 marks]