QUIZ CE202

Ideal Reactors – Part 2

Lucas Montogue

A PROBLEMS
[ Problem 1
The reaction

A→ B
is to be carried out isothermally in a continuous flow reactor. The entering
volumetric flow rate 𝑣𝑣0 is 10 dm³/h. Calculate both the CSTR and PFR reactor
volumes necessary to consume 99% of A (i.e., 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 = 0.01𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 ) when the entering
molar flow rate is 5 mol/h, assuming the reaction rate −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 is

mol
rA k ; =
−= k 0.05
h ⋅ dm3
True or false?
1.( ) The volume of a CSTR that accommodates this reaction is greater than 100 dm³.
2.( ) The volume of a PFR that accommodates this reaction is greater than 90 dm³.
Suppose now that the reaction rate is described by

; k 0.0001 s −1
−rA kC A=
=
3.( ) The volume of a CSTR that accommodates this reaction is greater than 2600 dm³.
4.( ) The volume of a PFR that accommodates this reaction is greater than 150 dm³.
Suppose now that the reaction rate is described by

2 dm3
= ; k 300
−rA kC = A
mol ⋅ h
5.( ) The volume of a CSTR that accommodates this reaction is greater than 700 dm³.
6.( ) The volume of a PFR that accommodates this reaction is greater than 5 dm³.

[ Problem 2
In an isothermal batch reactor, 70% of a liquid reactant is converted in 13
minutes. The reaction, 𝐴𝐴 → 𝑅𝑅, is first order on reactant A. What space-time is
required to effect this conversion in a plug flow reactor and in a mixed flow reactor?
Consider the following statements.

Statement 1: The space-time needed to effect the reaction in a plug flow reactor is
greater than 10 minutes.

Statement 2: The space-time needed to effect the reaction in a mixed flow reactor
is greater than 30 minutes.

A) Both statements are true,

B) Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.
C) Statement 1 is false and statement 2 is true.
D) Both statements are false.

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[ Problem 3
An aqueous feed of A and B (400 liter/min, 100 mmol A/liter, 200 mmol
B/liter) is to be converted to product in a mixed flow reactor. The kinetics of the
reaction is represented by

mol
A + B → R ; − rA =
200C ACB
liter ⋅ min
Find the volume of reactor required to for 99.9% conversion of A to
product.
A) 𝑉𝑉 = 3880 L
B) 𝑉𝑉 = 6540 L.
C) 𝑉𝑉 = 11,100 L
D) 𝑉𝑉 = 20,000 L

[ Problem 4
An aqueous feed of A and B (400 liter/min, 100 mmol A/liter, 200 mmol
B/liter) is to be converted to product in a plug flow reactor. The kinetics of the
reaction are represented by

mol
A + B → R ; − rA =
200C ACB
liter ⋅ min
Find the volume of reactor needed for 99.9% conversion of A to product.
A) 𝑉𝑉 = 124 L
B) 𝑉𝑉 = 248 L.
C) 𝑉𝑉 = 372 L
D) 𝑉𝑉 = 496 L

[ Problem 5
A gaseous feed of pure A (2 mol/liter, 100 mol/min) decomposes to give a
variety of products in a plug flow reactor. The kinetics of the conversion is
represented by

(10 min −1 ) CA
A → 2.5(Products) ; − rA =

Find the expected conversion in a 22-liter reactor.

A) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 = 0.44
B) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 = 0.56
C) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 = 0.71
D) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 = 0.90

[ Problem 6
We plan to replace our present mixed flow reactor with one having double
the volume. For the same aqueous feed (10 mol A/liter) and the same feed rate, find
the new conversion. The reaction kinetics are represented by

kC1.5
A → R ; − rA = A

and the present conversion is 70%.

A) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴′ = 0.444
B) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴′ = 0.510
C) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴′ = 0.795
D) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴′ = 0.951

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[ Problem 7
A stream of pure gaseous reactant A (𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 660 mmol/liter) enters a plug
flow reactor at a flow rate of 𝐹𝐹𝐴𝐴,0 = 540 mmol/min and polymerizes there as follows.

mmol
3A → R ; − rA =
54
liter ⋅ min
How large a reactor is needed to lower the concentration of A in the exit
stream to 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 330 mmol/liter?
A) 𝑉𝑉 = 1.90 L
B) 𝑉𝑉 = 3.81 L
C) 𝑉𝑉 = 7.50 L
D) 𝑉𝑉 = 11.4 L

[ Problem 8
An aqueous feed containing A (1 mol/liter) enters a 2-liter plug flow reactor
and reacts away (2A → R, −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 0.05𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴2 mol/liter∙s). Find the outlet concentration of
A for a feed rate of 0.5 liter/min.
A) 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 0.0339 mol/L
B) 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 0.0769 mol/L
C) 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 0.112 mol/L
D) 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 0.341 mol/L

[ Problem 9
At 650oC, phosphine vapor decomposes as follows:

(10 hr −1 ) Cphos
4PH 3 → P4( g ) + 6H 2 ; − rphos =

What size of plug flow reactor operating at 649oC and 11.4 atm is needed
for 75% conversion of 10 mol/hr of phosphine in a 2/3 phosphine-1/3 inert feed?
A) 𝑉𝑉 = 16.9 L
B) 𝑉𝑉 = 31.1 L
C) 𝑉𝑉 = 40.4 L
D) 𝑉𝑉 = 49.2 L

[ Problem 10
1 liter/s of a 20% ozone-80% air mixture at 1.5 atm and 93oC passes
through a plug flow reactor. Under these conditions ozone decomposes by the
homogeneous reaction

2 liter
2O3 → 3O2 ; − =
rozone kCozone ; k 0.05
=
mol ⋅ s
What size reactor is needed for 50% decomposition of ozone?
A) 𝑉𝑉 = 1080 L
B) 𝑉𝑉 = 1520 L
C) 𝑉𝑉 = 2130 L
D) 𝑉𝑉 = 2690 L

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[ Problem 11
Pure gaseous A at about 3 atm and 30OC (120 mmol/liter) is fed into a 1-
liter mixed flow reactor at various flow rates. There it decomposes, and the exit
concentration of A is measured for each flow rate. From the following data, find a
rate equation to represent the kinetics of the decomposition of A. Assume that
reactant A alone affects the rate.

𝐴𝐴 → 3𝑅𝑅
𝑣𝑣0 (liter/min) 0.06 0.48 1.5 8.1
𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (mmol/liter) 30 60 80 105

A) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 0.002𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 mmol/liter∙min

B) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 0.004𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 mmol/liter∙min
C) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 0.002𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴2 mmol/liter∙min
D) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 0.004𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴2 mmol/liter∙min

[ Problem 12
A mixed flow reactor is being used to determine the kinetics of a reaction
whose stoichiometry is A → R. For this purpose, various flow rates of an aqueous
solution of 100 mmol A/liter are fed to a 1-liter reactor, and for each run the outlet
concentration of A is measured. Find a rate equation to represent the following
data. Also assume that reactant A alone affects the rate.

𝑣𝑣 (liter/min) 1 6 24
𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (mmol/liter) 4 20 50

A) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 12𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 mmol/liter∙min

B) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 24𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 mmol/liter∙min
C) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 12𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴2 mmol/liter∙min
D) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 24𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴2 mmol/liter∙min

g Problem 13.1
We are planning to operate a batch reactor to convert A into R. This is a
liquid reaction, the stoichiometry is A → R, and the rate of reaction is given in the
following table. How long must we react each batch for the concentration to drop
from 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 1.3 mol/liter to 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 0.3 mol/liter?

𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (mol/liter) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 (mol/liter∙min)

0.1 0.1
0.2 0.3
0.3 0.5
0.4 0.6
0.5 0.5
0.6 0.25
0.7 0.10
0.8 0.06
1.0 0.05
1.3 0.045
2.0 0.042

A) 𝑡𝑡 = 8.41 min
B) 𝑡𝑡 = 12.7 min
C) 𝑡𝑡 = 19.4 min
D) 𝑡𝑡 = 23.2 min

g Problem 13.2
For the reaction in the previous problem, what size of plug flow reactor
would be needed for 80% conversion of a feed stream of 1000 mol A/hr at 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 =
1.5 mol/liter?
A) 𝑉𝑉 = 70.9 L
B) 𝑉𝑉 = 110 L
C) 𝑉𝑉 = 191 L
D) 𝑉𝑉 = 275 L

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[ Problem 14
The data in the following table have been obtained on the decomposition of
gaseous reactant A in a constant volume batch reactor at 100oC. The stoichiometry
of the reaction is 2A → R + S. What size mixed flow reactor operating at 100oC and
1 atm can treat 100 mol A/hr in a feed consisting of 20% inerts to obtain 95%
conversion of A?

𝑡𝑡 (sec) 𝑝𝑝𝐴𝐴 (atm) 𝑡𝑡 (sec) 𝑝𝑝𝐴𝐴 (atm)

0 1.0 140 0.25
20 0.80 200 0.14
40 0.68 260 0.08
60 0.56 330 0.04
80 0.45 420 0.02
100 0.37

A) 𝑉𝑉 = 585 L
B) 𝑉𝑉 = 1050 L
C) 𝑉𝑉 = 1540 L
D) 𝑉𝑉 = 2160 L
A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Table 1 Performance equations for 𝑛𝑛-th order kinetics and 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 = 0

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 Table 2 Performance equations for 𝑛𝑛-th order kinetics and 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 ≠ 0

A SOLUTIONS
P.1 c Solution
1. False. The design equation for the CSTR is

FA,0 − FA
V=
−rA

C v − C Av0
∴V =A,0 0
−rA

so that

C A,0 v0 − C Av0 0.5 ×10 − ( 0.01× 0.5 ) ×10

=V = = 99 dm3
−rA 0.05

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 2. True. Consider now the PFR under the same conditions. The reaction is
modeled as

dC A v
−v0 = k → − 0 dC A = dV
dV k
V v CA
∴ ∫ dV =
− 0 ∫ dC A
0 k C A ,0
v0
∴V =−
k
( C A − C A,0 )
Substituting the numerical quantities brings to

10
V=
− × ( 0.01× 0.5 − 0.5 ) =99 dm3
0.05
3. True. With the rate of reaction −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 𝑘𝑘𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 , the CSTR volume becomes

C A,0 v0 − C Av0 1h  0.5 ×10 − 0.01× 0.5 ×10 

V= = × =2750 dm3
kC A 3600s  0.0001× 0.01× 0.5 

4. False. We proceed to consider the PFR under the same conditions. The
reaction is modeled as

dC A v dC A V

k C A ∫0
−v0 =kC A → 0 = dV
dV

v0  C A,0 
∴V =− ln  
k  CA 

Substituting the numerical quantities, we obtain

1h 10  0.01× 0.5 
V=
− × × ln  =128 dm3
3600 s 0.0001  0.5 
5. False. With the rate of reaction −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 𝑘𝑘𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴2, the CSTR volume becomes

C A,0 v0 − C Av0 0.5 ×10 − 0.01× 0.5 ×10

=V = = 660 dm3
300 × ( 0.01× 0.5 )
2 2
kC A

6. True. We proceed to consider the PFR under the same conditions. The
reaction is modeled as

dC A v CA dC A V
−v0 = kC A2 → − 0
dV k ∫ =
C A ,0 C 2
A
∫
0
dV

v0  1 1 
∴
=V  − 
k  C A C A,0 

Substituting the numerical quantities, we get

10  1 1  3
V= × −  = 6.6 dm
300  0.01× 0.5 0.5 

P.2 c Solution
In the batch reactor, 70% conversion occurs in 13 min. Thus, the holding
time or mean residence time in the batch reactor is 13 min. For a constant fluid
density system, the space time is equivalent to the holding time of the reactor. In a
plug flow reactor, the space time required would be the same as the holding time in
the batch reactor; accordingly, we surmise that the space time for the plug flow
reactor to achieve 70% conversion is equal to 13 minutes.

Consider now the same reaction being carried out in a mixed flow reactor.
For a first order reaction, the rate expression is 𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 = 𝑘𝑘𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 . Substituting in the
performance equation brings to

X A , f dX X A, f dX A ln (1 − X A )
−∫
t= A
∫
= =
−
0 −rA 0 kC A,0 ( 1 − X A ) k

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 ln (1 − X A )
∴ k =−
t
ln (1 − 0.7 )
∴ k =− =0.0926 min −1
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Equipped with the rate constant, we can determine the space time 𝜏𝜏,

τ XA C A,0 X A
= → τ=
C A,0 −rA kC A

C A,0 X A
∴τ =
k C A,0 (1 − X A )

XA
∴τ =
k (1 − X A )

0.7
=∴τ = 25.2 min
0.0926 × (1 − 0.7 )

♦ The correct answer is B.

P.3 c Solution
The rate equation for the reaction can be rewritten as

−rA 200 ( C A,0 − C A,0 X A )( CB ,0 − CB ,0 X A )

=

Taking 𝑀𝑀 = 𝐶𝐶𝐵𝐵,0 /𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 200/100 = 2.0 as the initial molar ratio of reactants,
we have

mol
−rA 200C A2 ,0 (1 − X A )( M − X A )
=
liter ⋅ min
The space time 𝜏𝜏 is given by

C A,0 X A
τ=
−rA

Since 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑉𝑉/𝑣𝑣0, we have

V C A,0 X A v0C A,0 X A

= →
= V
v0 −rA −rA

Finally, we substitute our data to obtain

v0C A,0 X A v0C A,0 X A

=V =→V
−rA 200C A,0 (1 − X A )( M − X A )
2

v0 X A
∴V =
200C A,0 (1 − X A )( M − X A )

400 × 0.999
∴V = 20, 000 L
200 × (100 1000 ) × (1 − 0.999 ) × ( 2 − 0.999 )

♦ The correct answer is D.

P.4 c Solution
For a second-order reaction such as the present one, we have

 M − XA 
kτ C A,0 ( M − 1) =
ln  
 M (1 − X A ) 
where the initial molar ratio of reactants 𝑀𝑀 = 𝐶𝐶𝐵𝐵,0 /𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 200/100 = 2.0. Inserting
this and other data in the equation gives

 2 − 0.999 
200 ×τ × 0.1× ( 2 − 1) =ln  
 2 × (1 − 0.999 ) 

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 ∴ 20τ =
6.22
∴τ =0.311 min
The reactor volume required is determined to be

V =τ v =0.311× 400 =124 L

♦ The correct answer is A.

P.5 c Solution
The expansion factor is 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 = (2.5 – 1.0)/1.0 = 1.5. The performance
equation for a first-order reaction with 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 ≠ 0 is given by equation (21) of Table 2,

 1 
(1 + ε A ) ln 
kτ =  −εAXA
 1− X A 
Substituting 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑉𝑉𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0/𝐹𝐹𝐴𝐴,0 gives

kVC A,0  1 
(1 + ε A ) ln 
=  −εAXA
FA,0  1− X A 
Inserting the numerical data, we have

10 × 22 × 2  1 
(1 + 1.5) ln 
=  − 1.5 X A
100  1 − X A 

 1 
∴ 4.4 2.5ln 
=  − 1.5 X A
 1 − X A 

The result above is a nonlinear equation in 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 . One way to solve it is to

apply the FindRoot command in Mathematica, using an initial guess of 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 = 0.5,

FindRoot[4.4 − 2.5Log[1⁄(1 − 𝑥𝑥𝐴𝐴 )] + 1.5𝑥𝑥𝐴𝐴 , {𝑥𝑥𝐴𝐴 , 0.5}]

The code above returns 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 = 0.90. Thus, the conversion in the plug flow
reactor is about 90%.

♦ The correct answer is D.

P.6 c Solution
The performance equation for the reactor is

V X
= A
FA,0 −rA

which, substituting the relation we have for 𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 , becomes

V X V X
= A → = 1.5 A
FA,0 −rA FA,0 kC A,0 (1 − X A )1.5

Vk XA
∴ =
FA,0 C A,0 (1 − X A )1.5
1.5

Inserting 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 10 mol/L and 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 = 0.7 in the right-hand side gives

Vk 0.7
= = 0.135 (I)
FA,0 10 × (1 − 0.7 )1.5
1.5

Now, suppose we had a mixed flow reactor with twice the volume of the
original. We restate the performance equation as

2V X A′  Vk  X A′
= → 2 = 
FA,0 kC A,0 (1 − X A′ )
1.5 1.5
 FA,0  10 (1 − X A′ )
1.5 1.5

 Vk  X′
∴2  =A
 F  31.6 (1 − X ′ )1.5
 A,0  A

From equation (I), we know that the term in parentheses in the left-hand
side equals 0.135. Substituting and squaring both sides, we obtain

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  Vk  X A′ X A′
2×
=  → 2 × 0.135
=
 F  31.6 (1 − X ′ )1.5
C A,0 (1 − X A′ )
1.5 1.5
 A,0  A

X′
∴ 0.27 = A
31.6 (1 − X A′ )
1.5

2
 X A′ 
∴ ( 0.27 × 31.6 )
2
=
 1.5 
 (1 − X A′ ) 

X A′ 2
∴ 72.8 =
(1 − X A′ )
3

The result above is a third-degree equation in 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴′ , which can be expanded to

give

−72.8 X A′3 + 217.4 X A′2 − 218.4 X A′ + 72.8 =

0

One way to solve this equation is to employ Mathematica’s Solve command,

using the following syntax,

Solve[−72.8𝑥𝑥 3 + 217.4𝑥𝑥 2 − 218.4𝑥𝑥 + 72.8 == 0, 𝑥𝑥]

This returns 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴′ = 0.795. The conversion of the larger reactor is about
79.5%.

♦ The correct answer is C.

P.7 c Solution
The expansion factor is 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 = (1 – 3)/3 = –0.667. From the expression for 𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 ,
it is easy to see that the reaction in question is a zero order reaction. In this case,
the pertinent performance equation is

kτ kV FA,0 X A, f
= = X A, f → V= (I)
C A,0 FA,0 k

The final concentration of reactant is given by

C A, f 1 − X A, f
=
C A,0 1 + ε A X A, f

Substituting 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 660 mmol/L, 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 330 mmol/L, and 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 = –0.667, we have

330 1 − X A, f
= →
= X A, f 0.750
660 1 − 0.667 X A, f

Substituting this and other data into equation (I) gives

540 × 0.750
=V = 7.5 L
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♦ The correct answer is C.
P.8 c Solution
From the expression we were given for 𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 , it is easy to conclude that the
reaction is a second-order reaction. The appropriate performance equation is then

C A,0 − C A, f
kτ C A,0 =
C A, f

Substituting 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑉𝑉/𝑣𝑣0 and solving for 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 , we get

C A,0 − C A, f V C A,0 − C A, f
kτ C A,0= →k C A,0=
C A, f v0 C A, f

V C
∴k C A,0 =A,0 − 1
v0 C A, f

C A,0 V
∴ = k C A,0 + 1
C A, f v0

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 C
∴ C A, f = A,0
V
k C A,0 + 1
v0

Entering the numerical values, we ultimately obtain

1.0
=C A, f = 0.0769 mol/L
1+
( 0.05 × 60 ) ×1.0 × 2.0
0.5
Factor 60 was added to change the dimensions of 𝑘𝑘 from liter/mol∙sec to
liter/mol∙min.

♦ The correct answer is B.

P.9 c Solution
For the reaction in question, equation (21) of Table 2 holds,

C A,0V  1 
k (1 + ε A ) ln 
=  − ε A X A (I)
FA,0  1− X A 
We must first evaluate the initial concentration of phosphine,

PA,0 2 3 ×11.4
C= = = 0.101 mol/L
RT 0.0821× ( 649 + 273)
A,0

To determine the expansion factor, consider the following volume balance.

4A → 7R
Reactants 40 → 70
Inerts 20 → 20

Accordingly,

90 − 60
=εA = 0.5
60
We can now rearrange equation (I) and substitute our data, giving

FA,0   1  
V= (1 + ε A ) ln   −εAXA
kC A,0   1− X A  
10   1  
∴V
= × (1 + 0.5 ) × ln   − 0.5 ×=
0.75 16.9 L
10 × 0.101   1 − 0.75  
♦ The correct answer is A.
P.10 c Solution
For a second order reaction with expansion, the appropriate performance
equation is equation (23) in Table 2,

v  XA 
 2ε A (1 + ε A ) ln (1 − X A ) + ε A X A + ( ε A + 1)
2 2
=V 
C A,0 k  1− X A 

The initial concentration of ozone (A) is given by the ideal gas law,

PA,0 0.2 ×1.5

C= = = 0.00998 mol/L
RT 0.0821× ( 273 + 93)
A,0

The expansion factor is 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 = (11 – 10)/10 = 0.1. Substituting these and
other data in the equation for 𝑉𝑉, we get
1.0  0.5 
×  2 × 0.1× (1 + 0.1) ln (1 − 0.5 ) + 0.12 × 0.5 + ( 0.1 + 1) ×
2
=V
0.00998 × 0.05  1 − 0.5 

2130 L
∴V =

♦ The correct answer is C.

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P.11 c Solution
The rate −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 is given by

C A,0 X Av0 C A,0 ( C A,0 − C A ) v0 120 (120 − C A ) v0

−rA
= = = (I)
V ( C A,0 + ε AC A )V (120 + 2C A ) ×1.0
where we have substituted 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 120 mmol/liter, 𝑉𝑉 = 1 liter, and 𝜀𝜀𝐴𝐴 = (3 – 1)/1 =
2.0. The data are processed in the following table.

𝑣𝑣0 (L/min) 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (mmol/L) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 (Eq. I) log(−𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 ) log 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴

0.06 30 3.6 0.556 1.48
0.48 60 14.4 1.16 1.78
1.5 80 25.7 1.41 1.90
8.1 105 44.2 1.65 2.02

The next step is to plot log(−𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 ) (the blue column) versus log 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (the red
column), as follows.

The line is described by the relation

log ( −rA )= log k + n log C A

where 𝑛𝑛 is the slope of the line (and the reaction order), which can be easily seen to
be 𝑛𝑛 = 2.0. Thus,

log ( −rA )= log k + 2.0 log C A

Substituting any of the data points available, we can determine rate

constant 𝑘𝑘,

0.556= log k + 2.0 ×1.48

∴ log k =
−2.40
2.4
k 10−=
∴= 0.004
The appropriate expression for the reaction rate is

−rA= kC An= 0.004C A2 mmol/lit ⋅ min

♦ The correct answer is D.

P.12 c Solution
To begin, we write an expression for conversion 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 , as follows.

CA
C A,0 (1 − X A ) → X A =
CA = 1−
C A,0

CA
1−
∴XA = (I)
100
The reaction rate, in turn, is given by

v0C A,0 X A v0 ×100 × X A

−rA
= = = 100v0 X A (II)
V 1.0
In order to establish the reaction order, we must plot log −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 versus log 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 .
The data are processed in the following table.

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 𝑣𝑣0 (L/min) 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (mmol/L) 𝑋𝑋𝐴𝐴 (Eq. I) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 (Eq. II) log(−𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 ) log 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴
1 4 0.96 96 1.98 0.602
6 20 0.8 480 2.68 1.30
24 50 0.5 1200 3.08 1.70

The graph we are looking for is one log(−𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 ) (the blue column) versus log 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴
(the red column), as follows.

The slope of the line is approximately 1. Thus, the reaction in question is a

first-order reaction. It remains to compute the rate constant 𝑘𝑘, which is given by

−rA
−rA= kC A → k=
CA

Substituting one of the available data points, we obtain

96
k
= = 24 min −1
4
Thus, the rate equation is established as

mmol
24C A
−rA =
liter ⋅ min

♦ The correct answer is B.

P.13 c Solution
Part 1: To begin, we tabulate values of 1/(−𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 ).

𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (mol/liter) −𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 (mol/liter∙min) 1/(−𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 )

0.1 0.1 10
0.2 0.3 3.33
0.3 0.5 2
0.4 0.6 1.67
0.5 0.5 2
0.6 0.25 4
0.7 0.10 10
0.8 0.06 16.7
1.0 0.05 20
1.3 0.045 22.2
2.0 0.042 23.8

Then, a rate-concentration plot of 1/(−𝑟𝑟𝐴𝐴 ) (the blue column) versus 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴 (the
red column) is prepared.

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 It can be easily seen that the time required to produce the concentration
drop in question is given by

C A ,0 dC A
t=∫
CA, f −rA

The result in the right-hand side is the area below the graph between
abscissae 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 0.3 mol/L and 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 = 1.3 mol/L, which, using numerical integration,
is found to equal 12.7 min. Accordingly,

C A ,0 dC A
=t ∫CA, f −rA
≈ 12.7 min

Note
In Mathematica, a quick way to go is to combine the Integrate and
Interpolation commands. We first type the data,

dataSet = {{0.1,10}, {0.2,3.33}, {0.3,2}, {0.4,1.67}, {0.5,2}, {0.6,4}, {0.7,10},

{0.8,16.7}, {1. ,20}, {1.3,22.2}, {2. ,23.8}}

Then, we type
Integrate[Interpolation[dataSet][𝑥𝑥], {𝑥𝑥, 0.3,1.3}]]

This returns 12.6978.

♦ The correct answer is B.

Part 2: The rate-concentration curve is replotted below.

The final concentration is, in this case,

C A = C A,0 (1 − X A ) = 1.5 × (1 − 0.8 ) = 0.3 mol/L

For a plug flow reactor of constant density, we write

X A, f dX A C A , f dC
τ = C A,0 ∫ = −∫ A
0 −rA C A ,0 − r
A

However, the space time 𝜏𝜏 = 𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴,0 𝑉𝑉/𝐹𝐹𝐴𝐴,0, so that

C V CA, f dC A F  0.3 dC A 
τ = A,0 =−∫ → V = A,0  − ∫1.5 
FA,0 C A ,0 −rA C A,0  −rA 

The integral in brackets equals the area below the rate-concentration curve
between abscissae CA,0 = 1.5 mol/L and CA,f = 0.3 mol/L. Using numerical
integration, the result is found to be 17.2 min. Accordingly, the reactor volume
becomes

V
=
(1000 60 ) ×17.2
= 191 L
1.5
♦ The correct answer is C.
P.14 c Solution
Since there are 20% inerts in the feed, 𝑝𝑝𝐴𝐴,0 = 0.8×1.0 = 0.8 atm. For 95%
conversion, the pressure at the outlet must be 𝑝𝑝𝐴𝐴,𝑓𝑓 = 0.05×0.8 = 0.04 atm. For
mixed flow, we must first find the rate at the exit conditions. Then we can proceed
to determine the reactor size. Accordingly, we draw a 𝑝𝑝𝐴𝐴 versus 𝑡𝑡 curve and find the
slope (and hence the rate) at 𝑝𝑝𝐴𝐴 = 0.04 atm.

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 The slope at 𝑝𝑝𝐴𝐴 = 0.04 atm can be approximated as

0.02 − 0.08 0.06

rate = = − atm/s
420 − 260 160
The space time, written in pressure units, follows as

p A,0 − p A 0.8 − 0.04

=τ = = 2030 s
−rA ( 0.06 160 )
The molar feed, taking the flow of inerts into account, is 𝑛𝑛feed =
100×100/80 = 125 mol/hr. The volumetric flow rate can be obtained from the
ideal gas law,

nfeed RT 125 × 0.0821× 373

=v = = 3830 L/hr
p 1.0
Finally, the reactor volume is calculated to be

 1 
τ v 2030 ×  3830 ×
V == =2160 L
 3600 

♦ The correct answer is D.

A ANSWER SUMMARY
Problem 1 T/F
Problem 2 B
Problem 3 D
Problem 4 A
Problem 5 D
Problem 6 C
Problem 7 C
Problem 8 B
Problem 9 A
Problem 10 C
Problem 11 D
Problem 12 B
13.1 B
Problem 13
13.2 C
Problem 14 D

A REFERENCES
• FOGLER, H. (2018). Essentials of Chemical Reaction Engineering. 2nd
edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
• LEVENSPIEL, O. (1999). Chemical Reaction Engineering. 3rd edition.
Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons.

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