Tutorial 1 with solution

Course Name: Chemical Reaction Engineering II

Course code: CL-302
Instructor: Prof. Bishnupada Mandal
1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of catalyst:
(a) It participates in the reaction.
(b) It speeds up the reaction rate
(c) It does not affect the equilibrium
(d) It initializes the reaction.
Answer: (a)

2. Which of the following will decrease the rate of reaction?

(a) Catalytic poison
(b) Positive catalyst
(c) Negative catalyst
(d) Catalytic promoters
Answer: (c)

3. Which of the following is used as a catalyst for the following reaction?

N2 + 3H2 ⟶ 2NH3
(a) Zinc
(b) Chlorine
(c) Platinum
(d) Water
Answer: (c)

4. Which of the following isotherm cannot be used to explain chemisorption phenomena?

(a) Langmuir isotherm
(b) Eley-rideal isotherm
(c) Langmuir-hinshelwood isotherm
(d) Freundlich isotherm
Answer: (d)

5. One parameter used to quantify the activity of a catalyst is:

(a) Damkohler number
(b) Turnover frequency
(c) Dispersion
(d) Effectiveness factor
Answer: (b)
6. The rate of heterogeneous catalytic reaction A( g ) + B(g) → C(g) is given by
k K A PA PB
- rA = CT Where KA and KC are the adsorption equilibrium constants; PA and PB
1 + K A PA + KC PC
are the concentrations of A and B in gaseous phase; k is the surface reaction rate constant and CT
is the total concentration of sites. The rate controlling step for this reaction is:
(a) Adsorption of A
(b) Surface reaction between adsorbed A and adsorbed B
(c) Surface reaction between adsorbed A and B in gas phase
(d) Surface reaction between A in gas phase and adsorbed B
Answer: (c)

7. A reaction A + 3B → C + D was studied using a commercial 0.7 wt% Ru on catalyst. The

catalyst dispersion percentage of atoms exposed, determined from chemisorption of reactant B,
which was found to be 53%. At a pressure of 988 kPa and a temperature of 475K, a turnover
frequency of 0.065 s-1 was reported for product C. The rate of formation of product C in (mol/s.gm
of catalyst) is__________×10-6. (Report upto two decimal place)
Answer: 2.0 − 2.5
Solution:
−rA' −rB' rC' rD'
= = =
1 3 1 1
 1  % Ru
−rA' = N C D  
 MWRU  100
0.065  0.53  6.023  1023  0.007
−rA' =
6.023  1023  101.1
−rA' = 2.38  10−6 mol / s.gm of catalyst

8. A proposed mechanism for the water-gas shift reaction on ferrochrome catalyst at high
temperature is
𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑆 ⇌ 𝐻2 𝑂 − 𝑆 𝑟1 = 𝑘1 [ 𝐻2 𝑂] 𝜃 − 1𝐻2 𝑂−𝑆 𝑆
𝐻2 𝑂 − 𝑆 ⇌ 𝐻𝑂 − 𝑆 − 𝐻 𝑟2 = 𝑘2 𝜃𝐻2 𝑂−𝑆 − 𝑘−2 𝜃𝐻𝑂−𝑆−𝐻
𝐻𝑂 − 𝑆 − 𝐻 ⇌ 𝑂 − 𝑆 − 𝐻2 𝑟3 = 𝑘3 𝜃𝐻𝑂−𝑆−𝐻 − 𝑘−3 [𝐻2 ]𝜃𝑂−𝑆
𝐶𝑂 + 𝑂 − 𝑆 ⇌ 𝑂𝐶𝑂 − 𝑆 𝑟4 = 𝑘4 [ 𝐶𝑂] 𝜃 − 4𝑂𝐶𝑂−𝑆 𝑂 −𝑆
𝑂𝐶𝑂 − 𝑆 ⇌ 𝐶𝑂2 + 𝑆 𝑟5 = 𝑘5 𝜃𝑂𝐶𝑂−𝑆 − 𝑘−5 [𝐶𝑂2 ]𝜃𝑆

Where S is a surface site and H 2 O − S , HO− S− H,O− S and OCO− S are surface bound species.
[ H 2 O],[H2 ],[CO] and [CO2 ] Indicates concentration of the respective species.
The correct expression for rate of overall reaction H 2 O + CO → CO2 + H 2 in terms of the gas
phase concentrations, assuming that step 3 is rate limiting step will be_________?
 k1 k−2 k3 [ H 2 O] k k k [CO2 ][ H 2 ]
− −3 −4 −5
k−1 k−2 k4 k5 [CO]
(a) r =
1 + 1 1 + 2  [ H O] + k−5 1 + k−4  [CO ]
k k
k−1  k−2  2 k5  k4 [CO]  2

k1 k−2 k3 [CO2 ] k k k [CO][ H 2 ]

− −3 −4 −5
k−1 k−2 k4 k5 [CO]
(b) r =
1 + 1 1 + 2  [ H O] + k−5 1 + k−4  [CO ]
k k
k−1  k−2  2 k5  k4 [CO]  2

k1 k−2 k3 [ H 2 O] k k k [H O][CO2 ]
− −3 −4 −5 2
k−1 k−2 k4 k5 [CO]
(c) r =
1 + 1 1 + 2  [ H O] + k−5 1 + k−4  [CO ]
k k
k−1  k−2  2 k5  k4 [CO]  2

k1 k−2 k3 [ H 2 O] k k k [CO2 ][ H 2 ]
− −3 −4 −5
k−1 k−2 k4 k5 [CO]
(d) r =
1 + 1 1 + 2  [CO ] + k−5 1 + k−4  [H O]
k k
k−1  k−2  2 k5  k4 [CO]  2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Course Name: Chemical Reaction Engineering II (CL 302)
Instructor: Prof. Bishnupada Mandal
Tutorial 2
Q. A first order gas phase catalytic reaction A → B is taking at a surface of porous catalyst. If the
concentration of reactant A in feed is 55 mol/L and at the catalyst surface is 40 mol/L. The mass
m3 gas
transfer coeficient is 21  10−2 m and reaction rate constant is 42.23 . Then find out
s m2 catalyst . s
the following:

(a) Effective rate constant will be ________ (Report up to 2 decimal places)

mol Areacted
(b) The rate of reaction will be __________ in (Report up to 2 decimal places)
m 2 cat sur. s

Answer:

(a) 0.209

(b) 11.49

Q. A particular catalyst has a void fraction of 0.40, an internal surface area of 180 m 2/g, and a
pellet density of 1.40 g/cm3. If this catalyst is formed into spherical pellets with a diameter of 5
mm,

(a) The value of the surface reaction rate constant for which internal diffusion limitations will
reduce the reaction rate by a factor of 2, will be ___________ 10−7 cm / s (Report up to one
decimal places)

(b) The effective pore diameter in this catalyst will be ___________in nm. (Report up to nearest
integer)

Given that the effective diffusion coefficient for dilute thiophene in hydrogen at a pressure of 1
bar and temperature of 600 K within this catalyst is 0.004 cm2/s.

Answer: 5.7

Answer: 16
Tutorial 3 with solution
Course Name: Chemical Reaction Engineering II
Course code: CL-302
Instructor: Prof. Bishnupada Mandal

1. The reactant concentration drops rapidly to zero on moving into pore, hence:
(a) Diffusion strongly influences the rate of reaction.
(b) Diffusion weekly influences the rate of reaction.
(c) Diffusion does not influences the rate of reaction.
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a)

2. Under Strong diffusion limitations, the observed activation energy is approximately:

(a) Equal to the true activation energy of the reaction.
1
(b) of the true activation energy of the reaction.
2
1
(c) of the true activation energy of the reaction.
4
3
(d) of the true activation energy of the reaction.
4
Answer: (b)

3. If Ea is the activation energy, R is reaction rate constant and Ts is surface temperature. The
extent to which the reaction rate depends on temperature can be defined by:
E R
(a)  = a
TS
RT
(c)  = S
Ea
(d)  = Ea RTS
E
(d)  = a
RTS
Answer: (d)

4. Strong diffusion limitations alter the apparent kinetics of a catalytic reaction. For any nth order
irreversible reaction the observed reaction order will be:
n
(a) + 1
2
n +1
(b)
2
n
(c) + 1
3
 n +1
(d)
3
Answer: (b)

5. The global effectiveness factor includes:

(a) Diffusion limitations in the external boundary layer
(b) The pore diffusion limitations
(c) Both diffusion limitations in the external boundary layer and pore diffusion limitations.
(d) Diffusion limitations in the external boundary layer or pore diffusion limitations.
Answer: (c)

6. An elementary first order reaction A → product was carried out at 8.2 atm and 273 0C in a
spinning basket reactor containing cylindrical catalyst particles to which only pure A is fed. Find
out the following:
(a) Observed reaction order will be _______(Round off to two decimal place)
J
(b) Observed activation energy will be _______ 105 (Round off to one decimal place)
mol
(c) Thiele Modulus will be ___________ 104 (Round off to nearest integer)
(d) Effectiveness factor will be ________ 10−5 ( Round off to nearest integer)
Additional information:

Reaction rate constant is: 2.034 10 4 ( m3 gas )

m 2 catalyst surface.s
Diameter of catalyst: 2 mm
Density of catalyst pellets: 2.3 g/cm3
Effective Diffusivity: 2.3 cm2/s
Surface area of porous catalyst: 49 m2/g of cat
J
Activation energy: 7.55 105
mol
Answer:
(a) 1
(b) 3.77
Range: 3.5-4
(c) 5
Range: 4-6
(d) 2
Range: 1-3
Solution:
n +1
nobs =
2
1+1
nobs =
2
nobs = 1
E
Eobs =
2
J
Eobs = 3.77  105
mol
R S g  c kr
=
2 DeA
0.001 49  2.3  106  2.034  104
=
2 2.3  10−4
 = 4.99  104

1
tanh( )

G =
  D 
1 +  s eA
 l k  tanh( )
 g
1
tanh(4.99  104 )
G = 4.99  10 4

 4.99  104  2.3  10−5 

1+  4 
tanh(4.99  104 )
 (0.01 / 2)  2.034 10 
G = 1.97  10−5
7. An experimental rate measurement on the decomposition of A is made with a particular catalyst.
The diameter of spherical catalyst particle is 480 µm. Effective diffusion coefficient for diffusion
m3
in the pores is 25  10−6 and effective thermal conductivity of the catalyst pellet is
hr mcat
J
750 . Then the temperature within the pellet at 120 µm distance will be _______ 0C?
hr m cat K
(Report up to nearest integer)
Additional data:
MJ
H rxn = −17 (exothermic)
mol A
mol
Bulk concentration of component A (C Ag ) = 31 3 (at 1 atm and 280 0 C )
m
mol
C A = 5 3 (at 120  m )
m
Assume there is no external mass transfer resistance.
Answer: 295
Range:290-300

Solution:
(−H rxn ) DeA
Tpellet = (C AS − C A )
e
17  106  25  10−6
T − 280 = (31 − 5)
750
T = 280 + 14.733
T = 294.733
 Tutorial 4 with Solution

Course Name: Chemical Reaction Engineering II

Course code: CL-302
Instructor: Prof. Bishnupada Mandal

1. For a catalytic reaction with order > 1 conducted under diffusion-controlled regime and
isothermal condition. The overall rate of reaction can be increased by
(a) Using smaller pellets
(b) Increasing the temperature
(c) Increasing the concentration at the external pellet surface.
(d) Increasing the internal surface area
Answer: (c) Increasing the concentration at the external pellet surface.
2. What is the most reasonable interpretation, in terms of controlling resistances, of the kinetic
data of Table 1 obtained in a basket type mixed flow reactor if we know that the catalyst is
porous? Assume isothermal behaviour.
Table 1.

(a) Negligible pore diffusion resistance and strong film resistance

(b) Negligible film resistance and strong pore diffusion resistance
(c) Strong film and strong pore diffusion resistance
(d) none of the above

Answer: (b) Negligible film resistance and strong pore diffusion resistance
Note: use the given data to solve the questions from 3, 4 and 5.
An experimental rate measurement on the decomposition of A is made with a particular catalyst
(see pertinent data listed below).
Data: For the spherical particle
dp = 2.4 mm or L = R/3 =0.4 𝑚𝑚 = 4 × 10−4 𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡
𝑚3
𝐷𝑒 = 5 × 10−5 ℎ𝑟.𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡 (effective diffusivity)
𝑘𝐽
𝐾𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 1.6 ℎ𝑟.𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡 𝐾
(effective thermal conductivity)

For the gas film surrounding the pellet (from correlations in the literature):
h = 160 kJ/hr. 𝑚2 cat. K (heat transfer coefficient)
kg = 300 𝑚3 /hr. 𝑚3 cat (mass transfer coefficient)
For the reaction:
∆𝐻𝑟 = -160 kJ/mol A (exothermic)
𝐶𝐴𝑔 = 20 mol/𝑚3 (at 1 atm and 336 K)
′′′
−𝑟𝐴,𝑜𝑏𝑠 = 105 (𝑚𝑜𝑙/ℎ𝑟. 𝑚3 𝑐𝑎𝑡)
Assume that the reaction is first order.
3. The value of observed rate to the rate if film resistance control is _______(Report up to 3
decimal places).

Answer: 0.007
Range: 0.004-0.009
Solution: Film mass transfer From Eq, and introducing numerical values, we obtain
′′′ 3
𝑟𝐴,𝑜𝑏𝑠 𝜋𝑑𝑝
𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑉𝑝 𝑘 ′′′𝑜𝑏𝑠 (− )( ) ′′′
−𝑟𝐴,𝑜𝑏𝑠 𝑑𝑝
𝐶𝐴𝑔 6
= = =
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑠 𝑘𝑔 𝑆𝑒𝑥 𝑘𝑔 (𝜋 𝑑𝑝2 ) 𝐶𝐴𝑔 𝑘𝑔 6
𝑚𝑜𝑙
105 (ℎ𝑟.𝑚3 𝑐𝑎𝑡) 2.4 × 10−3 𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡
= 𝑚𝑜𝑙
.
(20 ) (300 𝑚3 /ℎ𝑟. 𝑚2 𝑐𝑎𝑡 ) 6
𝑚3
1
= 150 = 0.00667

4. The Wagner-Weisz-Wheeler modulus Mw is ___________ (Report up to 1 decimal places).

Answer: 16
Range: 15.5-16.5
𝑚𝑜𝑙 2
′′′
−𝑟𝐴,𝑜𝑏𝑠 𝐿2 105 ( )(4×10−4 𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡)
ℎ𝑟.𝑚3 𝑐𝑎𝑡
Solution: 𝑀𝑤 = 𝑚3 𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 𝟏𝟔
𝐶𝐴𝑔 𝐷𝑒 5×10−5 ( 20 3 )
ℎ𝑟 .𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡 𝑚

5. The temperature variations within the pellet is_________K (Report up to 2 decimal places).

Answer: 0.10
Range: 0.09-0.11
Solution:
𝐷𝑒 (𝐶𝐴𝑔 − 0) (−∆𝐻𝑟 )
∆𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑝𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑡 =
𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓
𝑚3 𝑘𝐽
( 5 × 10−5 ℎ𝑟.𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡 . 160 𝑚𝑜𝑙 . 20 𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑚3 )
= 1.6 𝑘𝐽 = 𝟎. 𝟏 𝐊
ℎ𝑟 .𝑚 𝑐𝑎𝑡.𝐾
 Tutorial 5 with solution

Course Name: Chemical Reaction Engineering II

Course code: CL-302
Instructor: Prof. Bishnupada Mandal

1. A mass transfer-limited reaction is being carried out in two packed bed reactors of equal
volume, connected in series. Currently, 86.5% conversion is being achieved with this
arrangement. It is suggested that the reactors be separated and the flow rate be divided equally
among each of the two reactors to decrease the pressure drop and hence the pumping
requirements. Assuming no axial dispersion and negligible bulk diffusion. If same reaction
were conducted under surface reaction limiting conditions then, which of the following
statements are true?
(a) Reactors connected in series gives better conversion than parallel.
(b) Reactors connected in parallel gives better conversion than series.
(c) Reactors weather in series or in parallel will give same conversion.
(d) Reactors connected in parallel with flow-rate divided unequally among two reactors will
give the best conversion.
Answer: (c) Reactors weather in series or in parallel will give same conversion.

2. According to Weisz-Prater criterion for a first order reaction when 𝐶𝑤𝑝 <<1 then
(a) No internal diffusional resistance.
(b) Negligible concentration gradient inside the pellet.
(c) Concentration is uniform everywhere.
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (d) None of the above.

3. A single adiabatic packed bed system with recycle ratio one for 80% conversion of a feed
consisting 1 mol of A and 7 mol of inert. Reactor is to be designed to treat 100 mol/s of reactant
A and produce product R. The ideal gases enter at 2.49 MPa and 300 K, the temperature of the
exit stream from the reactor is 800 K, the product stream is wanted at 300 K, and the
thermodynamics and kinetics of the exothermic reaction are given bellow.
𝐴 ↔ 𝑅, ∆𝐻𝑟 = −80,000𝑗, 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐴
𝑚𝑜𝑙
−𝑟1′ = 𝑘1′ 𝐶𝐴 − 𝑘2′ 𝐶𝑅 ,
𝑘𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑡. 𝑠
Cp = 40 J/mol. K for all materials, and at all temperatures. use the given data to solve the
sections (a), (b) and (c).

(a) First determine the slope of the adiabatic line____________.

Answer: 0.002-0.006
Solution: First determine the slope of the adiabatic line. For this note that 8 moles enter1
mole of A. Thus
Cp = (40 J/mol. K) (8) = 320 J/ (mo1 of A + inerts). K
 Thus, the slope of the adiabatic is,
𝐶𝑝 320
= 80,000 = 𝟎.004
−∆𝐻 𝑟

(b) The heat duty ahead of the reactor is_________ MW (report up to one decimal).
Answer: 9 − 10
Solution:
The feed is available at 300 K, but enters the reactor at 600 K. So, it must be heated. Thus
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐽 𝐽
𝑄1 = 𝑛 𝐶𝑝 ∆𝑇 = (800 ) (40 ) (600 − 300 𝐾 ) = 9.6 × 106 = 𝟗. 𝟔 𝑴𝑾
𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑙. 𝐾 𝑠

(c) The heat duty after the reactor is_________ MW.

Answer: −𝟏𝟒 𝒕𝒐 −18
Solution:
The product stream leaves the reactor at 800 K and must be cooled to 300 K, thus
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐽 𝐽
𝑄1 = 𝑛 𝐶𝑝 ∆𝑇 = (800 ) (40 ) (30 − 800 𝐾 ) = −16 × 106 = −𝟏𝟔 𝑴𝑾
𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑙. 𝐾 𝑠

4. Consider the production of SO3 from SO2 in a fixed bed tubular reactor. The overall reaction
1
is 𝑆𝑂2 + 2 𝑂2 ↔ 𝑆𝑂3 . The feed to the reactor is 5.0% by volume 𝑆𝑂2 and 95.0% by volume
dry air (79% 𝑁2 , 21% 𝑂2 ) at 450°C and 2 bar total pressure. The total feed flow rate is 500
kg/hr. The reactor will be a 50 cm diameter cylindrical vessel filled with catalyst pellets. The
platinum on alumina catalyst is in the form of 4 mm diameter cylindrical pellets (ranging from
15 to 50 mm long), with a catalyst density of 1.0 g 𝑐𝑚−1 , a pore volume of 0.4 𝑐𝑚−1 𝑔−1, and
a specific surface area of 150 𝑚2 𝑔−1 . The density of the catalyst bed, as packed in the reactor,
is 0.6 (kg catalyst) 𝑚−3 . The pressure drop through the reactor is negligible. The reaction rate,
in the absence of any diffusion limitations, is
𝑟 = 𝑘1 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 − 𝑘2 𝐶𝑆𝑂3 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ
12000
𝑘1 = 106 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (− ) 𝑚3 𝑠 −1 (𝑘𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑡)−1 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑇
24000
𝑘2 = 1013 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (− ) 𝑚3 𝑠 −1 (𝑘𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑡)−1
𝑇
The specific heat of the gas mixture can be assumed constant at 1 kJ kg-1 K-1 and heat of
reaction is ∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 = −99.8 𝑘𝐽 𝑚𝑜𝑙−1 . The atomic weights of sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen are
32, 16, and 14 g mol-1, respectively.
(a) For adiabatic operation of the reactor with ideal plug flow and no radial or axial mixing,
the maximum temperature that could be reached is __________ K in the reactor.

Answer: 𝟕𝟐𝟓 − 𝟕𝟑𝟓 𝑲

Solution: We start from the balance equations for the ideal adiabatic plug flow reactor;
𝑑 (𝑢𝑠 𝐶𝑠𝑜2 )
= −𝜌𝐵 (𝑘1 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 − 𝑘2 𝐶𝑆𝑂3 )
𝑑𝑧
𝑑𝑇
𝜌𝑔 𝑐𝑝 𝑢𝑠 = (−∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 ) 𝜌𝐵 (𝑘1 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 − 𝑘2 𝐶𝑆𝑂3 )
𝑑𝑧
From the overall continuity equation, we know that the product, 𝜌𝐵 𝑢𝑠 is constant, and we
are assuming that the heat of reaction and specific heat are constant, so we can take these
all inside the derivative in the energy equation and write
𝑑(𝑢𝑠 𝐶𝑠𝑜2 ) 𝑑 𝜌𝑔 𝑐𝑝 𝑢𝑠
= ( 𝑇)
𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑧 ∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛
Integrating this (and using the values at the inlet) gives
𝜌 𝑐 𝑢
(𝑢𝑠 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 − 𝑢𝑆,0 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 ) = 𝑔,0 𝑝 𝑠,0 (𝑇 − 𝑇0 )
∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛

Solving this for T gives;

−∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛 𝑢
𝑇 = 𝑇0 + ( 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 − 𝑠 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 )
𝜌𝑔,0 𝑐𝑝 𝑢𝑆,0

𝑢𝑠,0 = the inlet superficial velocity (m s-1). It can be calculated as the volumetric flowrate
divided by the cross-sectional area at inlet conditions.
𝑢𝑠,0 = 4.79×8.314×723/200000/0.196 = 0.735 m s-1.
𝑀 𝑝 0.0290×200000 𝑘𝑔
𝜌𝑔,0 = density of the feed stream = 𝑅𝑇0 = 8.314×723 = 0.965 𝑔
0
If the reaction were irreversible, then the maximum temperature would be achieved when
CSO goes to zero. This would be
99.8
𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑣 = 723.15 + ( 0.1664) = 740.35𝐾
0.995 × 1
𝑢
The maximum possible temperature rise is 17.2 K. For this case, the factor 𝑢 𝑠 would be
𝑆,0
1
𝑢𝑠 𝐹𝑁2 ,0 + 𝐹𝑂2 ,0 + 2 𝐹𝑆𝑂2 ,0 𝑇 740
= 1
( ) = 0.995 ( ) = 1.018
𝑢𝑆,0 𝐹𝑁 ,0 + 𝐹𝑂 ,0 + 𝐹𝑆𝑂 ,0 𝑇0 723
2 2 2 2
This makes it clear that we can neglect this factor, and write our usual expression for a
constant density adiabatic reactor,
−∆𝐻𝑟𝑥𝑛
𝑇 = 𝑇0 + ( 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 − 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 )
𝜌𝑔,0 𝑐𝑝
Since the reaction is reversible, we cannot, in fact, go to an SO 2 concentration of zero, but
only to the equilibrium composition. The equilibrium composition is given by
𝑘1 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,𝑒𝑞 − 𝑘2 𝐶𝑆𝑂3, 𝑒𝑞 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑘1 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,𝑒𝑞 = 𝑘2 (𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 − 𝐶𝑆𝑂2, 𝑒𝑞 )
𝑘1 12000
𝐶𝑆𝑂2, 𝑒𝑞 𝑘2 𝑘2
1 × 10−7 exp( 𝑇 )
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ; = = =
𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 𝑘1 + 𝑘2 1 + 𝑘1 1 + 1 × 10−7 exp(12000)
𝑘 2 𝑇
𝐶𝑆𝑂2, 𝑒𝑞 𝐶𝑆𝑂2, 𝑒𝑞
At 723K. this gives = 0.6176, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 740 𝐾, 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 = 0.5245, , so we
𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0
expect to get between 38% and 48% conversion at equilibrium. 43% of the temperature
rise for complete conversion would be 7.4 K, so we predict a maximum temperature for
adiabatic operation of about 730.5 K.

If we wanted to compute the temperature rise more precisely, we could substitute the
expression for T into the expression for the equilibrium composition to get;
 12000
𝐶𝑆𝑂 𝑒𝑞
2,
723.15+17.2 (1− )
𝐶𝑆𝑂2, 𝑒𝑞 −7 𝐶𝑆𝑂 ,0
1 × 10 𝑒 2
= 12000
𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 𝐶𝑆𝑂 𝑒𝑞
2,
723.15+17.2(1− )
𝐶𝑆𝑂 ,0
1 + 1 × 10−7 𝑒 2
𝐶𝑆𝑂2, 𝑒𝑞 𝐶𝑆𝑂2, 𝑒𝑞
And solve iteratively for . This would give = 0.5762 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝟕𝟑𝟎. 𝟒 𝑲
𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0 𝐶𝑆𝑂2 ,0
 Tutorial 8&9 with solution
Course Name: Chemical Reaction Engineering II
Course code: CL-302
Instructor: Prof. BishnupadaMandal
Note: Each question from 1 to 5 carry 2 marks each. Each question from 6 to 8 carry 5 marks
each.
1. What is the expression for liquid holdup:
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
(a) 𝑓𝑙 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠
(b) 𝑓𝑙 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
(c) 𝑓𝑙 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
(d) 𝑓𝑙 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠
Answer: (a)
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
Explanation: Liquid holdup, 𝑓𝑙 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

2. What do you means by gas-liquid ratio at same temperature and pressure?

𝐺 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠
(a) 𝐿 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝐺 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠
(b) = 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝐿
𝐺 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠
(c) = 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝐿
𝐺 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠
(d) =
𝐿 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
𝐺 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠
=
𝐿 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑

3. If size of the catalyst particle change in the rate expression then it affects which factors
(a) fs and pA
(b) ξ and as
(c) CB and fs
(d) PA and CB
Answer: (b)
Explanation: From experiment, the change in size of the catalyst particle affects ξ and a s in the
rate expression.
4. With regard to rate, the larger particles in trickle bed can only hold its own
(a) For very slow reactions on porous catalyst particles
(b) For slow reactions on non-porous catalyst particles
(c) For very fast reactions on non-porous catalyst-coated particles
(d) For fast reactions on porous catalyst-coated particles
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Larger particles in trickle beds mean much lower reaction rates. With regard to rate,
the trickle bed can only hold its own
 For very slow reactions on porous solids where pore diffusion limitations do not appear, even
for large particles and
 For very fast reactions on nonporous catalyst-coated particles

5. Which type of multiphase flow regimes in slug flow

(a) Discrete gaseous bubbles in a continuous liquid
(b) Discrete fluid droplets in a continuous gas
(c) Continuous liquid along walls, gas in core
(d) Large bubbles in a continuous liquid
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Multiphase flow regimes: Slug flow- large bubbles in a continuous liquid

6. Intermediates (primary K-phthalates) are formed from the dissociation of K-benzoate with a
CdCl2 catalyst reacted with K-terephthalate in an autocatalytic reaction step under the pressure of
110kPa at 683K
𝑘1 𝑘2
𝐴→𝑅→𝑆 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠
𝑘3
𝑅 + 𝑆 → 2𝑆 𝐴𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑐
Find out the value of CA0 and rate constant k1’ at 703K with the initial value of k1 1.08×10-3 s-1, k2
1.19×10-3 s-1, k3 1.59×10-3 s-1 and E is 42600cal/mol.
(a) CA0 = 0.03mol/dm3 and k1’=1.64×10-3s-1, k2’=2.3×10-3s-1, k3’=2.31×10-3s-1
(b) CA0 = 0.019mol/dm3 and k1’=2.64×10-3s-1, k2’=3.3×10-3s-1, k3’=3.1×10-3s-1

(c) CA0 = 0.04mol/dm3 and k1’=1.06×10-3s-1, k2’=2.67×10-3s-1, k3’=2.98×10-3s-1

(d) CA0 = 0.026mol/dm3 and k1’=3.01×10-3s-1, k2’=3.98×10-3s-1, k3’=3.90×10-3s-1
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
7. Predict the conversion of glucose to sorbitol in a stirred slurry reactor using pure hydrogen gas
at 100atm and 100°C. The catalyst used is porous Rankey nickel, and under these conditions
Brahme and Doraiswamy, IEC/PDD, 15, 130 (1976) report that the reaction proceeds as follows:
𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑡
𝐻2 (𝑔 → 𝑙 ) + 𝑔𝑙𝑢𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒, 𝐶6 𝐻12 𝑂6 (𝑙 ) → 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑙, 𝐶6 𝐻14 𝑂6 (𝑙 )
With
1.6
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑚3
−𝑟𝐴′ = −𝑟𝐵′ =𝑘 ′
𝐶𝐴0.6 𝐶𝐵 ′
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 = 6.96 × 10 −6
( )
𝑘𝑔. 𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑙
Data:
CB0 =1000mol/m3, vl = 0.02m3/s, vg= 0.3m3/s, n=0.5, HA=300000Pa.m3/mol are fed to the bottom
of a long, slender column (5m high, 0.1-m2 cross section) packed with porous catalyst (dP = 20µm,
ρs = 9000 kg/m3.cat, fs = 0.006, De = 3×10-9 m3/m.cat.s). At these conditions, liquid is hydrogenated
to product according to the reaction.
Additional data:
𝑚3 𝑙 𝑚3 𝑙
(𝑘𝐴𝑖 𝑎𝑖 )𝑔+𝑙 = 0.04 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘𝐴𝐶 𝑎𝑐 = 0.06 3
𝑚 𝑟. 𝑠 𝑚 𝑟. 𝑠
What will be the effectiveness factor and reaction rate of species A
(a) ξ = 0.73 and –rA’’’= 1.59 × 10−3 mol/m3 r.s
(b) ξ = 0.67 and –rA’’’= 2.59 × 10−3 mol/m3 r.s
(c) ξ = 0.87 and –rA’’’= 0.69 × 10−3 mol/m3 r.s
(d) ξ = 0.45 and –rA’’’= 3.78 × 10−3 mol/m3 r.s
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
CB0=1000 while CA is given by Henry’s law as
𝑝𝐴 1.013 × 107 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝐶𝐴 = = = 33.78 3
𝐻𝐴 300000 𝑚
Comparing values shows that CB>>CA; hence, we are in extreme 1 (excess of B).
Next, we are dealing with pure species A; thus, pA is constant throughout the packed column. And
since the rate is only dependent on CA and not on CB, this means that the rate of reaction is constant
throughout the column.
1
𝑛 + 1 𝑘 ′ 𝐶𝐴𝑛−1 𝜌𝑠 5 × 10−3 √1.5 (6.96 × 10−6 )(33.78)−2 (9000)
𝑀𝑇 = 𝐿 √ = = 1.37
2 𝐷𝑒 6 2 (3 × 10−9 )
1
𝜀= = 0.73
1.37
 1 1.013 × 107 𝑚𝑜𝑙
−𝑟𝐴′′′ = 1 1 1 = 1.59 × 10−3 3 𝑟. 𝑠
+ 0.06 + 1
300000 𝑚
0.04 −
(6.96×10−6 )(1)(33.78 2 )(0.73)(0.006)(9000)

8. In a plug flow reactor, pure species A flows at the initial concentration (CA0) of 40mol/dm3 with
the volume (V) of 1566dm3. Find out the value of τ for the concentration of pure species at
0.112mol/dm3 with rate constant values k1A =0.0001 sec-1, k2A =0.015 sec-1, k3A =0.008 sec-1.
For PFR,
𝑑𝐶
= −𝑘1 − 𝑘2 𝐶𝐴 − 𝑘3 𝐶𝐴2
𝑑𝜏
(a) τ = 27864sec
(b) τ = 45979sec
(c) τ = 37929sec
(d) τ = 21217sec
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
 Tutorial 10 with solution
Course Name: Chemical Reaction Engineering II
Course code: CL-302
Instructor: Prof. BishnupadaMandal
1. When gases are very soluble in liquid, which contacting pattern is preferred:
(a) Bubble contact
(b) Spray contact
(c) Film contact
(d) Static contact
Answer: (b)
Explanation: For very soluble gas, those with a small value of Henry’s Law constant H
(ammonia, for example), gas film controls, thus should avoid bubble contactors. (and reference
from Table 24.1)

2. For selecting a contactor with liquid droplets in gas, which is the suitable case:
(a) kg is high, kl is low
(b) kg is low, kl is high
(c) kg is high, kl is high
(d) kg is low, kl is low
Answer: (a)
Explanation: For liquid droplet, kg is high, kl is low

3. For gas bubble rising in liquid, the rate constants of liquid and gas are respectively
(a) Low and low
(b) Low and high
(c) High and low
(d) High and high
Answer: (c)
Explanation: For gas bubble rising in liquid kg (rate constant of gas) is low, kl (rate constant of
liquid) is high

4. Hatta Number is defined as

2 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
(a) 𝑀𝐻 =
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
2 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
(b) 𝑀𝐻 =
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
(c) 𝑀𝐻 =
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
(d) 𝑀𝐻 =
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚
Answer: (b)
.
5. For the reaction 𝐴 + 𝑏𝐵 → 𝑃 in bubble tank contactors with mass transfer, the relation
between pressure and concentration for plug flow G/Mixed flow L contactor is

𝐹𝑙 𝐹𝑔
(a) (𝑃𝐴𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃𝐴𝑜𝑢𝑡 ) = (𝐶𝐵𝑖𝑛 − 𝐶𝐵𝑜𝑢𝑡 )
𝜋 𝑏𝐶𝐵
𝐹𝑔 𝐹𝑙
(b) (𝑃𝐴𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃𝐴𝑜𝑢𝑡 ) = (𝐶𝐵𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝐶𝐵𝑖𝑛 )
𝜋 𝑏𝐶𝐵
𝐹𝑔 𝐹𝑙
(c) (𝑃𝐴𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃𝐴𝑜𝑢𝑡 ) = (𝐶𝐵𝑖𝑛 − 𝐶𝐵𝑜𝑢𝑡 )
𝜋 𝑏𝐶𝐵
𝐹𝑙 𝐹𝑔
(d) (𝑃𝐴𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃𝐴𝑜𝑢𝑡 ) = (𝐶𝐵𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝐶𝐵𝑖𝑛 )
𝜋 𝑏𝐶𝐵
Answer: (c)

6. A column packed with 5-cm polypropylene saddles (a=55 m2/m3) is beign designed for the
removal of chlorine gas from a gas stream (G=100 mol/s. m2, 2.36% Cl2) by countercurrent
contact with a NaOH solution (L=250 mol/s. m2, 10% NaOH, CB=2736 mol/m3) at about 40-
45oC and 1 atm.
a) Find the rate expression and
b) How high should tower be for 99% removal of chlorine?
The reaction Cl2+2NaOH to product is very very fast and irreversible. Data provided
𝑘𝑔 𝑎= 133 mol/hr.m3.Pa 𝐻𝐴 = 105 Pa. m3 /mol
𝑘𝑙 𝑎 =45 hr-1 𝐷 = 1.5 × 10−9 m2 /s 𝑃𝐴1 𝐶𝐵1
k=2.6 × 109 m /mol.hr
3
CT=56000 mol/m 3

Answer: For packed colum reactor

Relation between pressure and concentration
𝐹𝑔 𝐹𝑙
(𝑃𝐴2 − 𝑃𝐴1 ) = (𝐶𝐵1 − 𝐶𝐵2 )
𝜋 𝑏𝐶𝑇
5
𝑃𝐴2 = 2.36% × 10 = 2360 Pa 99% remove
𝑃𝐴1 = 2.36 × 0.01 × 105 Pa = 23.6
𝐶𝐵1 = 2736 𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑚3
100 250
(2360 − 23.6) = (2736 − 𝐶𝐵2 )
105 2×56000
From this 𝐶𝐵2 = 1688.47 mol/m3
Since, reaction is very fast and high 𝐶𝐵 , rate expression is

𝑃𝐴2 𝐶𝐵2
 𝑝𝐴
−𝑟𝐴′′ = 1 𝐻𝐴
+
KAg a 𝑎√𝐷𝐴 𝑘𝐶𝐵2
𝑝𝐴
= 1 105
+
133 55√1.5×10−9 ×3600×2.6×109 ×1688.47
𝑝𝐴
=
0.0075+0.373
𝑝𝐴
= = 2.62𝑝𝐴 mol/m3 hr
0.3805

𝐺 𝑝 𝑑𝑝
Height of the tower is ℎ = ∫𝑝 𝐴2 𝐴
𝜋 2.62𝑝
𝐴1 𝐴
100×3600 2360 𝑑𝑝𝐴
= ∫23.6 2.62𝑝
105 𝐴
h = 1.37 × 4.60 = 6.3 m

7) At high pressure CO2 is adsorbed into a solution of NaOH in a packed column. The reaction is
as follows
CO2+2NaOH Na2CO3+ H2O with (−𝑟𝐴1 = kCACB)
Find the rate of adsorption in mol/m3.s at a point in the column where 𝑝𝐴 =105 Pa and CB=500
mol/m3
Data:
k Ag a = 10−4 mol/m2.s.Pa k Al = 1 × 10−4 m/s HA=25000 Pa. m3/mol
DA=1.8× 10−9 m2 /s DB=1.8× 10−9 m2 /s k=10 m3/mol.s fl=0.1

Solution: We need to first evaluate Ei and MH

√𝐷𝐴 𝑘𝐶𝐵2 √1.8 × 10−9 × 10 × (500)2

𝑀𝐻 = =
𝑘𝐴𝑙 1 × 10−4
√45×105×10−9 √45×10−4 6.7×10−2
= = = = 670
10−4 10−4 10−4
𝐷𝐵 𝐶𝐵 𝐻𝐴 3.06 × 10−9 × 500 × 25000
(𝐸𝑖 )𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑠 =1+ =1+
𝑏𝐷𝐴 𝑃𝐴𝑖 2 × 1.8 × 10−9 × 105
382.5×105 ×10−9
1+
3.6×10−9 ×105
= 1 + 106.25 = 107.25

In this case 𝐸𝑖 < 𝑀𝐻 /5 (107.25<670/5)

So 𝐸𝑖 = 𝐸

The rate expression is

𝑝𝐴
−𝑟𝐴′′ = 1 𝐻𝐴 𝐻𝐴
+ + 2𝑓
KAg a KAl E 𝑘𝐶𝐵 𝑙
105
= 1 25000 25000
( −4 )+( )+( )
10 1×10−4 ×107.25 10×5002 ×0.1
105 105
= = = 0.0427 mol/m3.s
104 +233.1×104 +0.1 234.1×104
 Department of Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Semester: July – Nov. 2020

Hour Examination – I
Course No.: CL 302 Course Title: Chemical Reaction Engineering II
Duration: 60 minutes Full marks = 15 Dated: 20.10.2020

Academic Honesty: During exams, students are expected NOT to communicate with each other
in any form and are expected NOT to share any materials during an exam.
Note: Answer all questions.

Q1. (1+1 = 2 marks)

t-Butyl alcohol (TBA) is an important octane enhancer that is used to replace lead additives in
gasoline. TBA was produced was produced by the liquid-phase hydration (W) of isobutene (I)
over an Amberlyst-15 catalyst. The system is normally a multiphase mixture of hydrocarbon,
water and solid catalyst. However, the use of co-solvents or excess TBA can achieve reasonable
miscibility.

(i) The rate law by assuming Eley-Rideal kinetics will be ……

 C 
k Cw CI  TBA 
(a) r1' 
 KH 
1  K I CI  KW CW
 C 
k CTBA CI  I 
(b) r1' 
 KH 
1  K I CI  KTBA CTBA
 C 
k Cw CI  TBA 
(c) r1' 
 KH 
1  K I CI  KTBA CTBA
(d) None of the above

(ii) If isobutene and water are adsorbed on different sites (S1 and (S2), respectively and TBA is
not on the surface, and surface reaction is rate limiting. Then the rate of surface reaction will be
…..
 C 
k Cw CI  TBA 
 KC 
(a) rI   rTBA 
' '

1  KTBACTBA 1  K I CI 
 C 
k Cw CI  TBA 
 KC 
(b)  rI   rTBA 
' '

1  K w Cw 1  KTBA CTBA 

 C 
k CTBA CI  W 
 KC 
(c)  rI   rTBA 
' '

1  K w Cw 1  K I CI 
  C 
k Cw CI  TBA 
 KC 
(d)  rI   rTBA 
' '

1  K w Cw 1  K I CI 
Answer key:
(i) (c)
(ii) (d)

Q2. (1 marks)

In a catalytic reaction occurring in a porous catalyst pellet, reactant and product experience
diffusional limitations and consequently effect the rate parameters. One of the parameters called
observed activation energy gets half because:
(a) The temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient will be much smaller than the
temperature dependence of the reaction rate coefficient.
(b) The temperature dependence of the reaction rate coefficient will be much smaller than the
temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient.
(c) The temperature dependence of the reaction rate coefficient will be equal to the temperature
dependence of the diffusion coefficient.
(d) None of the above

Answer key: (a)

Q3. (4 marks)

The first order catalytic reaction A  B takes place within a fixed bed containing spherical
porous catalyst. The reaction is limited by both internal and external diffusion and reaction rate is
found to be 1.2 gmol/(dm3 s). If the bulk concentration is 2 gmol/dm3 concentration at the external
surface is 1 gmol/dm3. The concentration at r=R/2 inside the porous catalyst at 362 K will be
_______ in gmol/dm3 (Report upto one decimal place).

Additional information:
Specific reaction rate is 1.4 1/s
Gas Properties Bed properties
Diffusivity: 0.1 cm2/s Tortuosity of pellet: 1.414
Density: 0.001 g/cm3 Bed permeability: 1 milidarcy
Viscosity: 0.0001 g/(cm . s) Porosity: 0.3
Mass transfer coefficient: 3 cm2/s Radius of pellet: 3 mm

Answer key: 0.5-0.9

Solution:
Internal effectiveness factor:
Actual rate of reaction at 362 K

rate of reaction at 362 Kwith no diffusion effects

rate of reaction at 362 Kwith no diffusion effects

rideal  kCAS
rideal  1.4  1gmol / dm3 s
rate of reaction at 362 Kwith diffusion effects  1.2 gmol/dm3s
1.2

1.4
  0.86
3  coth   1

 2

3  coth   1
0.86 
2
By iterative solution

  1.6

Where
CAb = 2 gmol/dm3 =,   1.6
R 3
l is characteristic size of particle, for spherical geometry l    1  0.01 dm
3 3
R 0.3
Since we have to find the concentration at r  x    0.15  0.0015 dm
2 2
k = 3 cm2/s = 3×10-2 dm2/s
DA=0.1 cm2/s = 0.001 dm2/s
  1.414
  0.3
On substituting all values:
C A  0.785 gmol/dm3

Q4. (2 marks)

Reaction A  R with initial concentration CA0 = 250 mol/m3 and rA'''  k '''CA proceeds in a
packed bed with the rate constant 0.2 m3/(m3 catalyst . s). The gas were made to flow downward
through the solids (u0 = 0.4 m/s, v0 = 0.942 m3/s) containing 4 tons of catalyst (s = 1500 kg/m3).
Assuming plug flow of gas, the proper mean concentration of A seen by the solids would be
_________ mol/m3.

Answer: 185-195

Solution:
Calculate XA for a fixed bed. for plug flow
 Therefore,

seen by the solids. Since every particle samples all the gas in the bed,

Q5. (2+4 = 6 marks)

Under conditions of strong pore diffusion the reaction A  R proceeds at 700°C on a slowly
deactivating catalyst by a first-order rate
-rA = 0.030 CA a, (mol/gm . min)

Where each terms have their usual meaning and significance. Deactivation is caused by strong
absorption of unavoidable and irremovable trace impurities in the feed, giving third-order
deactivation kinetics, or
, (1/day)

We plan to feed a packed bed reactor (W = 10 kg) with v = 100 liters/min of fresh A at 8 atm and
700°C until the catalyst activity drops to 10% of the fresh catalyst, then regenerate the catalyst
and repeat the cycle.

(a) What is the run time for this operation?

(b) What is the mean conversion for the run?

Answer:
(a) 16.5 days (range: 16 to 17 days)
(b) 35 to 45 %