CHE 304 (Spring 2010)
__________________
LAST NAME, FIRST
Problem set #1
(1.1)
A group of researchers is studying the kinetics of the reaction of hydrogen with thiophene
(C4H4S). They have postulated that only one stoichiometrically simple reaction takes
place, as shown below.
C4H4S + 4H2  H2S + C4H10
In one experiment, the feed and effluent rates to a continuous reactor operating at steady
state were
Species
C4H4S
H2
H2S
C4H10
Feed rate (mol/min)
0.65
13.53
0.59
0.20
Effluent rate (mol/min)
0.29
12.27
0.56
0.38
Are the experimental data consistent with the assumption that only one stoichiometrically simple
reaction (i.e. the above reaction) takes place?
(2)1 Consider the following first order liquid phase reaction
AB
The volumetric flow rate is 20 liter/min and the rate constant k = 0.25 min-1. Calculate both the
CSTR and PFR reactor volumes to reduce the exit concentration to 10% of the entering value.
(3)1 Consider the following first order liquid phase reaction
AB
The rate constant, k, is equal to 0.20 min-1. Calculate the time to reduce the number of moles of
A to 2% of its initial value in a constant volume batch reactor.
(4)1 Consider the following first order liquid phase reaction
AB
Calculate both the CSTR and PFR reactor volumes to reduce the exit concentration to 1% of the
entering value. The entering molar flow rate is 5 mol/hr and the entering volumetric flow rate is
10 L/hr. The following reaction rate is assumed:
(a)  rA = k
with k = 0.05 mol/Lhr
(b)  rA = kCA
with k = 0.0001 s-1
(c)  rA = kCA2
with k = 3 L/molhr
1
Fogler, H. S., Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Prentice Hall, 1999
(5)1 The gas phase reaction
AB+C
is carried out isothermally in a 25 L constant-volume batch reactor. Twenty moles of pure A is
initially placed in the reactor. The reactor is well mixed.
(a) If the reaction is first order:
 rA = kCA
with k = 0.5 min-1
calculate the time necessary to reduce the number of moles of A in the reactor to 0.2 mol.
(b) If the reaction is second order:
 rA = kCA2
with k = 2 L/molmin
calculate the time necessary to consume 19 moles of A.
(c) If the temperature is 127oC, what is the initial total pressure? What is the final total
pressure assuming the reaction goes to completion?
(6)1 The gas phase reaction
A(g) + B(g) = C(g)
was studied at 100 and 200oC and at a pressure of 1 atm. The following equilibrium mol
fractions were obtained:
yC
yA
yB
100oC
0.172
0.414
0.414
200oC
0.642
0.179
0.179
If equimolar quantities of A and B are reacted at 150oC and a pressure of 10 atm, what will be
the equilibrium composition?
(7)1 The chemical species A is known to decompose according to A(g) = B(g) + C(g)
A rigid container is filled with pure gaseous A at 300oK and 760 mmHg and then heated. The
pressure was observed to be 1114 mmHg at 400oK and 1584 mmHg at 500oK. Estimate the
pressure for a temperature of 600oK. Assume ideal-gas behavior and chemical equilibrium.
(8) Run Staging (http://www.engin.umich.edu/~cre/icm/cre.html)
You will find the program Staging in the CHE 304 distribution folder, then ICM, then
Staging, then click on Staging.exe. Turn in the last page of the program with performance
number.
1
Kyle, B.G., Chemical and Process Thermodynamics, Prentice Hall, 1999