Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

Chemical Engineering Department

Reaction Engineering I
Worksheet on Chapter Four
10/05/2019
Kinetics
1. At 518°C, the rate of decomposition of a sample of gaseous acetaldehyde, initially at a
pressure of 363 Torr, was 1.07 Torr s−1 when 5.0 percent had reacted and 0.76 Torr s−1
when 20.0 per cent had reacted. Determine the order of the reaction.
2. At 400 K, the half-life for the decomposition of a sample of a gaseous compound initially
at 55.5 kPa was 340 s. When the pressure was 28.9 kPa, the half-life was 178 s.
Determine the order of the reaction.
3. The rate constant for the first-order decomposition of N2O5 in the reaction
2N2O5(g)→4 NO2(g) + O2(g) is k = 3.38 × 10−5 s−1 at 25°C. What is the half-life of
N2O5? What will be the pressure, initially 500 Torr, at (a) 10 s, (b) 10 min after initiation
of the reaction?
4. A given isothermal, constant volume reaction A B + C has k = 0.02 min-l with all
concentrations in moles/liter. Starting with CA0 = 1 mole/liter, and CB0, = Cc0 = 0. Find
CA(t), CB(t), and Cc(t) in a batch reactor for these initial conditions at reaction times of
20, 30, 40 & 50 minute, and calculate the half-life for this reaction. Repeat all with k =
0.02 mole liter-1min-1 and k = 0.02 liter mol-1min-1.
5. An isothermal, constant volume reversible reaction A B carried out in a batch
reactor has k = 0.02 min-1 and an equilibrium constant of 10 with all concentrations in
moles/liter. Starting with CA0 = 1 mole/liter, and CB0 = 0
(a)What is the equilibrium composition?
(b)What is the reverse rate constant in the above reaction?
(c) Find CA(t) and CB(t) in a batch reactor for these initial conditions at reaction times
of 20, 30, 40 & 50 minute.
6. A given isothermal, gas phase reaction A B + C has k = 0.02 min-l with all
concentrations in moles/liter. Starting with CA0 = 1 mole/liter, CB0 = 1 mole/liter and Cc0
= 0.
 a. Find XA (t) in a batch reactor for these initial conditions at reaction times of 20, 30,
40 & 50 minute
b. Find Concentrations CA (t), CB (t) and CC (t).
c. Calculate the half-life for this reaction.
d. Repeat all with k = 0.02 mole liter-1min-1 and k = 0.02 liter mol-1min-1.
7. The following first order reaction A C is carried out in liquid phase. Suppose that
this reaction is to be carried out in a plug flow reactor isothermally. Show the variation of
conversion as a function of volume or space time? Calculate the volume and space time
required to convert 20, 40, 60 and 80% of A? Take k = 11.98 x10-6/h. FA0 = 23.8 mol/h,
CA0 = 2mol/ml.

8. **The given first order gas phase reaction A C + 2D is carried out at 600oC and
1atm. Suppose the reaction is to be carried out in a plug flow reactor isothermally. Show
the variation of conversion as a function of volume, residence time and space time?
Calculate the volume, space time and residence time required to convert 20, 40, 60 and
80% of A? Take k = 11.98 x10-6/ h, FA0 = 23.8 mol/h and CA0 = 2mol/ml.

9. The following first order liquid phase reaction A 5R is carried out in mixed flow
reactor. Show the variation of conversion as a function of volume or space time.
Determine the volume and the space time of the reaction for final concentration C A = 60,
50, 30 and 16 milimol/lter? Take FA0 = 300milimol/hr, CA0 = 100 millmol /lt, K = 96h-1.

10. **Consider the first order reaction A 5R carried out in mixed reactor. Show the
variation of conversion as a function volume, residence time and space time if the
reaction is gas phase reaction. Determine the volume and the space time of the reaction to
obtained final concentration CA = 80, 60, 50 and 16 milimol/lter? Take FA0 =
300milimol/hr, CA0 = 100 millmol /lt, K = 96h-1.
Isothermal Reactor Design (sizing)
1. **An aqueous feed of A and B (100 mol/liter, 200 mol/liter respectively) is to be
converted to product in a batch reactor. The kinetics of the reaction is represented by

Find the time needed for 99% conversion of A to product.

2. A gas of pure A at 830 kPa(8.2 atm) and 500k is charged in to a batch reactor. If the
reaction is represented by

[ ]

Find the time required to achieve 90% fractional conversion

3. We plan to replace our present mixed flow reactor with one having double the volume.
For the same aqueous feed (FA0) and the same feed rate (𝝊0), find the new conversion if
present conversion is 70%. The reaction kinetics are represented by

4. **We plan to replace our present plug flow reactor with one having double the volume.
For the same aqueous feed (FA0) and the same feed rate (𝝊0), find the new conversion if
present conversion is 70%. The reaction kinetics are represented by

5. 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 is represented by

Find the volume of reactor needed for 99.9% conversion of A to product.

6. 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. Find the volume of reactor needed for
 99.9% conversion of A to product. The kinetics of the reaction is given in the above
question.

7. A specific enzyme acts as catalyst in the fermentation of reactant A. At a given enzyme

concentration in the aqueous feed stream (25 liter/min) find the volume of plug flow
reactor needed for 95% conversion of reactant A (CA = 2 mol/liter). The kinetics of the
fermentation at this enzyme concentration is given by

8. **Enzyme E catalyzes the fermentation of substrate A (the reactant) to product R. Find

the size of mixed flow reactor needed for 95% conversion of reactant in a feed stream (25
liter/min) of reactant (2 mol/liter) and enzyme. The kinetics of the fermentation at this
enzyme concentration are given by

→ [ ]

9. A gaseous feed of pure A (1 mol/liter) enters a mixed flow reactor (2 liters) and reacts as
follows:

Find what feed rate (liter/min) will give an outlet concentration CA = 0.5 mol/liter.

10. Gaseous reactant A decomposes as follows:

Find the conversion of A in a 50% A-50% inert feed (𝝊0 = 180 liter/min, CA0 = 300
mmol/liter) to a 1 m3 mixed flow reactor.
11. A plug flow reactor (2 m3) processes an aqueous feed (100 literlmin) containing reactant
A (CA0 = 100 mmollliter). This reaction is reversible and represented by

First find the equilibrium conversion and then find the actual conversion of A in the
reactor.

12. **A mixed flow reactor (2 m3) processes an aqueous feed (100 literlmin) containing
reactant A (CA0 = 100 mmollliter). This reaction is reversible and represented by

First find the equilibrium conversion and then find the actual conversion of A in the
reactor?

13. Pure gaseous A at about 3 atm and 30°C is fed into a 1- liter mixed flow reactor at flow
rate of 0.06liter/min. Determine the fractional conversion achieved?

14. Pure gaseous A at about 3 atm and 30°C is fed into a 1- liter plug flow reactor at flow
rate of 0.06liter/min. Determine the fractional conversion achieved?

15. A gas of pure A at 830 kPa(8.2 atm) enters a MFR with a volumetric flow rate of 1
liter/min at 500k. If the reaction is represented by

[ ]

Find the size of the reactor to achieve 90% fractional conversion?

16. A gas of pure A at 830 kPa(8.2 atm) enters a PFR with a volumetric flow rate of 1
liter/min at 500k. If the reaction is represented by

[ ]

Find the size of the reactor to achieve 90% fractional conversion?

17. A liquid phase of A is fed (2 mol/liter) in to plug flow reactor isothermally. Find the
space and residence times required to achieve 80% conversion? What do you conclude?

[ ]

18. **A gas phase of A is fed in to a PFR isothermally. Find the space time and residence
time? What do you conclude the results?

[ ]

19. **An aqueous feed of A (2 mol/liter) is fed in to mixed flow reactor. Find the space time
and residence time? What do you conclude on the results?

[ ]

20. A gaseous feed of A (2 mol/liter) is fed in to mixed flow reactor. Find the space time and
residence time?

[ ]

All ** are assignments

Due date: Next second class