Scribd
Upload
63 views

Assignment II

This document contains 3 chemistry problems related to chemical reactor analysis and design: 1) It describes diffusion of species A through a stagnant film to the external surface of a catalyst particle and asks to determine the concentration profile and flux. 2) It asks to calculate the mass flux of reactant A to a single catalyst pellet in a liquid, given the bulk concentration, liquid velocity, viscosity, and diffusivity. 3) It provides details about the decomposition of hydrazine over an alumina-supported iridium catalyst for space satellite thrusters and asks to calculate the expected conversion in a packed bed reactor under specified conditions.

Uploaded by

Abhishek Gadhwal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
63 views

Assignment II

This document contains 3 chemistry problems related to chemical reactor analysis and design: 1) It describes diffusion of species A through a stagnant film to the external surface of a catalyst particle and asks to determine the concentration profile and flux. 2) It asks to calculate the mass flux of reactant A to a single catalyst pellet in a liquid, given the bulk concentration, liquid velocity, viscosity, and diffusivity. 3) It provides details about the decomposition of hydrazine over an alumina-supported iridium catalyst for space satellite thrusters and asks to calculate the expected conversion in a packed bed reactor under specified conditions.

Uploaded by

Abhishek Gadhwal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT (BHU)

Chemical Reactor Analysis and Design (CHE504)


Assignment II
1) Diffusion through a Film to a Catalyst Particle
Species A, which is present in dilute concentrations, is diffusing at steady state from the bulk
fluid through a stagnant film of B of thickness δ to the external surface of the catalyst (See
figure). The concentration of A at the external boundary CAb and at the external catalyst surface
is CAs with CAb > CAs. Because the thickness of the “hypothetical stagnant film” next to the
surface is small with regard to the diameter of the particle, we can neglect curvature and
represent the diffusion in rectilinear coordinates as shown in Figure. Determine the
concentration profile and the flux of A to the surface.
Additional information

2) Rapid Reaction on a Catalyst Surface


Calculate the mass flux of reactant A to a single catalyst pellet 1 cm in diameter suspended in
a large body of liquid. The reactant is present in dilute concentrations, and the reaction is
considered to take place instantaneously at the external pellet surface (ie. CAs= 0). The bulk
concentration of the reactant is 1.0 M, and the free-system liquid velocity is 0.1 m/s. The
kinematic viscosity is 0.5 centistoke (cS: 1 centistoke = 10-6 m2/s), and the liquid diffusivity of
A is 10-10 m2/s.
3) Maneuvering a Space Satellite
Hydrazine has been studied extensively for use in monopropellant thrusters for space flights of
long duration. Thrusters are used for altitude control of communication satellites. Here, the
decomposition of hydrazine over a packed bed of alumina-supported iridium catalyst is of
interest. In a proposed study, a 2% hydrazine in 98% helium mixture is to be passed over a
packed bed of cylindrical particles 0.25 cm in diameter and 0.5 cm in length at a gas-phase
velocity of 15 m/s and a temperature of 750 K. The kinematic viscosity of helium at this
temperature is 4.5*10-4 m2/s. The hydrazine decomposition reaction is believed to be externally
mass transfer-limited under these conditions. If the packed bed is 0.05 m in length, what
conversion can be expected? Assume isothermal operation.

You might also like