Pacific School of Engineering

Chemical Engineering Department

B.E. Semester VI
CRE – I
Question Bank

Sr. Questions
No.
1. Give an example of zero order reaction.
2. Name the method used to determination order of nuclear reaction. The decay constant of radium
is 1620 yr– 1, calculate half-life of radium in sec.
3. The gas mixture contains 50 mole % A, 25 mole % B and remaining inert in close vessel at a
pressure of 15 atmosphere and temperature 150 0C. Calculate the concentration of A and B in k-
mol / m3.
4. The gas phase reaction between A and B is written as: A + 3B →C is second order with respect to
both reacting components. Suddenly the volume of reacting mixture reduced to one third of the
initial volume. Find the change in rate of reaction.
5. On doubling the concentration of the reactants, the rate of reaction increase four times. Find the
order of reaction.
6. Distinguish between elementary and no elementary.
7. Activation energy (iv) Rate constant
8. Discuss with examples classifications of Reactions
2
9. The reaction between CO and NO2 at low temperature proceeds with a rate − 𝑟 𝑁𝑂2 = 𝐾 𝐶𝑁𝑂 2
Suggest a mechanism to explain this rate law
10. The rate constant at 27 0C for a reaction is 1.3 ×10– 3 sec–1 and its frequency factor is 2.785
×106 sec–1. Determine its entropy of activation and enthalpy of activation. Given: Planck’s
constant h = 6.024 ×10–27 erg sec and Boltzmann constant kB = 1.38 ×10–16 erg/K
11. Discuss about variable volume reactor. Derive the relation for irreversible first order reaction in
terms of variable volume reactor.
12. In a homogeneous isothermal liquid polymerization, 20% of the monomer disappears in 34
minutes for initial monomer concentration of 0.04 and also for 0.8 mol/liter. What rate equation
represents the disappearance of the monomer?
13. In case of a first order reaction, show that the time required for 75% conversion is double the time
required for 50% conversion
14. Define space time and space velocity. Derive the performance equation for CSTR
15. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various types of reactors used to carry out the
reactions.
16. Derive the performance equation for equal size CSTR’s arranged in parallel.
17. Decomposition of an acetone di-carboxylic acid is a first order reaction. Following is the data for
the same:
T (K) 273 293 313 333
-1 -
K1 (S )X 10 2.46 47.5 576 5480
5

Find out the energy of activation for this reaction graphically

18. The irreversible reaction A + B= AB has been studied kinetically, and the rate of formation of
product has been found to be well correlated by following rate equation: rAB= k CB2 ….
Independent of CA
Test the following reaction mechanism for the reaction given:
B+B=B2* [rate constant (k1, k2)]……..(1)
A+ B2*= AB+ B [ rate constant (k3, k4)]-------(2)

19. Write physical significance of activation energy. Also, discuss temperature dependency of
activation energy using Arrhenius theory.
20. List theories with expressions for temperature dependency term of a rate equation and discuss its
evaluation
21. Explain the mechanism of various kinds with example for non-elementary reaction
22. Differentiate between (i) Homogeneous reaction and Heterogeneous reaction (ii) Elementary
reaction and Non elementary reaction
23. Differentiate Elementary and non-Elementary reactions. Mention in brief the
steps to establish the mechanism of reaction of Non-elementary reactions
24. Discuss the kinetic models for no elementary reactions and mechanisms of different type with
suitableexample
25. Write a short note on temperature dependency of reaction rate constant from Arrhenius law.
Compare thesame with transition state and collision theories.
26. At 500 k the rate of a bimolecular reaction is ten times the rate at 400 K. Find the activation
energy of this reaction using Arrhenius law and Collision theory. What is the percentage
difference in the rate of reaction at 600 k predicted by these two methods?
27. Show that the following reaction scheme is consistent with rate law and can explain the first order
kinetic for decomposition of N2O5. N2O5→NO2 + NO3* with rate constant k1, NO2 +
NO3*→N2O5 with rate constant k2 NO2 + NO3*→→NO2 + O2 + NO*with rate constant k3, NO*
+ NO3*→2NO2 with rate constant k4
The primary reaction occurring in the homogeneous decomposition of nitrous oxide is found to
be, N2O → N2 + ½ O2 with rate –r N2O = k1 [N2O] 2 / (1+k2[N2O]). Derive a mechanism to
explain this observed rate.
28. (i) Differentiate constant volume and Variable volume batch reactor.
(ii) Derive empirical rate equation of nth order chemical reaction.
29. Discuss the Integral method of analysis for irreversible elementary reactions in parallel

30. For the reaction A + B→ products with equal concentration of A and B, establish the relation
between conversion and time. Also, discuss the half-life of the reaction.
31. Discuss the analysis of total pressure data obtained in a constant volume system and also
establish the
 relation use to calculate the partial pressure of gaseous component in reaction mixture

32. Derive equation for irreversible bimolecular type second order reaction (M≠1) for constant
volume batch reactor using integral method of analysis
33. 1. Write short note on Autocatalytic reactions. OrWhat is an autocatalytic reaction? For an
autocatalytic reaction A + R → R + R show that

34. Discuss method to establish the ‘Rate law’, while obtaining data from batch reactor using
Differential method of analysis
35. First order unimolecular irreversible reaction in seriesA→ R →S takes place with specific
reaction rate k1 and k2. Express the variation of Concentration of A, R and S with time. Find the
expression for the time whenformation of R becomes maximum.
36. Derive the expression in terms of concentration for irreversible reactions in parallel for A
decomposing by two competing paths, both elementary reactions:

37. Derive the expression for A + B → Product by applying Integral method of analysis. Take CAo≠
CBo
38. Discuss the integral method of analysis of rate data. Establish the relation between conversion –
time and reaction rate constant – half-life of reaction for irreversible unimolecular type first order
reactions usingintegral method of analysis.

39. Find the conversion after 1 hour in a batch reactor for A→R, -rA=3CA0.5 mol/lit*hr, CAo = 1
mol/lit
40. Explain the term ‘Ideal reactor’ and compare ideal reactors
41. The rate constant of a reaction measured at different temperatures is reported
below. Calculate the activation Energy and frequency factor for this reaction.

Temp.,°C 20 25 30 35
[Link]-1 1.5×10-3 2.67×10-3 4.64×10-3 7.93×10-3

42. A first order reversible reaction A B takes place in a batch reactor with
CA0 = 0.5 moles/liter and CB0 = 0. After 30 minutes conversion of A is 33.3%while equilibrium is
66.7%. Find the rate equation for this reaction
43. A reaction A →B obeys second order kinetics with k= 0.01 liter mole-1 sec-1. The initial
concentration is CA0 = 2 mol/liter. What time is required for 90%conversion in a batch reactor?
44. Find the overall order of the irreversible reaction 2H 2 + 2NO →N2 + 2H2O from the following
constant-volume data using equimolar amounts of hydrogen and nitric oxide:
Total pressure data, 200 240 280 320 360
mmHg
Half life, sec 265 186 115 104 67

45. A gaseous feed of pure A (1 mol/liter) enters a mixed flow reactor (2 liters) and reacts as follow :
2A → R, -rA = 0.05CA2mol/lit*sec
Find what feed rate (liter/min) will give an outlet concentration C A = 0.5 mol/liter
46. Define the following terms and write significance of each
(i) Space time (ii) Space velocity (iii) Residence Time (iv) Mean Residence Time/Holding time
47. What are the type of Reactor?
48. Derive performance equation for continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR).
49. Derive the performance equation/design equation for steady state PFR for first order reaction for
the case of constant density and variable density system.
50. Derive the performance equation for ideal batch reactor.
51. Explain the term ‘Ideal reactor’ and compare ideal reactors
52. Aqueous A at a concentration C A0=1 mol/ liter is introduced into a batch reactor where it reacts
away to form product R according to stoichiometry
A→R. The concentration of A in the reactor is monitored at various times, as shown below:
t, min 0 100 200 300 400
3
CA, mol/m 1000 500 333 250 200

For CA0= 500 mol/m3 find the conversion of reactant after 5 hours in the batch reactor.
53. The first order reversible liquid reaction A=R, CA0 = 0.5 mol/lit, CR0 = 0 takes place in a batch
reactor. After 8 minutes, conversion of A is 33.3% while equilibrium conversion is 66.7%. Find
the rate equation for this reaction.
54. A homogenous gas reaction A→3R has a reported rate at 215 oC – 𝑟𝐴 = 10-2 CA1/2 [mol/liter.
Sec].Find the space time needed for 80% conversion for a 50% A-50% inert feed to a PFR
operating at 215oC and 5 atm (CA0= 0.0625 mol/ liter)
55. Assuming a stoichiometry A→R for a first order gas phase reaction, the size of a plug flow
reactor for 99% conversion of pure A is calculated to be 32 liters. In fact, however the reaction
stoichiometry is A→3R. With this corrected stoichiometry, what is the required volume of a
reactor?
56. A homogeneous liquid phase reaction A→R, -rA = KCA2 takes place with 50% conversion in a
mixed reactor.
(i) What will be the conversion if this reactor is replaced by one 6 times as large, all else
remaining unchanged?
(ii) What will be the conversion if the original reactor is replaced by a plug flow reactor of equal
size, all else remaining unchanged?
57. A homogeneous liquid phase reaction with the stoichiometry and kinetics A → S, -rA = k CA2 ,
takes place with 50% conversion in a mixed flow reactor.
i) Find the conversion if this reactor is replaced by another mixed flow reactor having
volume 6 times that of original, all else remain unchanged.
ii) Find the conversion if original reactor is replaced by a plug flow reactor of the same size,
 all else remains unchanged

58. The reaction A →B, r = k CA02, occurs in CSTR with 90% conversion. If k = 0.5 liter/mole min,
CA0 = 2 mole/liter and v = 4 liter/ min, what residence time and reactor volume will be required?
59. An aqueous feed of A and B (400 liter/min, 100mmol 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 A + B
→ R, -rA= 200CACBmol/lit*min. Find the volume of reactor needed for 99.9% conversion of A
to product
60. Given a dilute aqueous feed, CAo = CBo =100, A + 2B → R + S, CA = 20. Find XA and XB

61. Discuss different size of MFR in series.

62. Explain the theory of equal sized mixed flow reactors connected in series with diagram and
derive the equation for N equal sized mixed flow reactors in series where
N→∞
63. Discuss the method of maximization of rectangles applied to find the optimum intermediate
conversion and optimum sizes of two mixed reactors in series
OR
Explain the procedure to determine the best system of mixed flow reactors of different sizes in
series for a given conversion
64. Define ‘Recycle ratio’ and derive the performance equation for recycle reactor

65. Derive the design equation for autocatalytic reactor

66. A liquid reactant stream with C A0 = 1 mol/lit passes through two mixed flow reactors in series.
The concentration of A in the exit stream from the first reactor is 0.5mol/lit. Find the
concentration of A in the exit stream of the second reactor. The reaction A →R follows second
order kinetics and V2/V1 = 2
67. In an isothermal batch reactor the conversion of a liquid reactant A is 70% in 13 min. Find the
space time and space velocity necessary to effect this conversion in a plug flow reactor and in a
mixed flow reactor. Consider the first order kinetics

68. Differentiate between contacting patterns in continuous flow operations and non continuous
operations for various combination of high and low concentration of reactants for maximizing the
desired product.
69. Compare plug flow reactor and mixed flow reactor for finding the size of reactor for adiabatic
operations with graphs
70. Explain briefly about equilibrium constants from thermodynamics clearly mentioning the all
possible states of species.
71. Discuss different size of MFR in series.
72. Describe quantitative discussion about product distribution for reactions in parallel.

73. With necessary equations write short note on qualitative discussion about product distribution in
parallel reactions
74. For reactions in parallel for two reactants; discuss the contacting patterns for various batch, semi
 batch and continuous reactor configuration for maximizing the desired product in case of high
and low reactant concentrations.
75. The thermal cracking of ethane is carried out in a tubular reactor for large scale production of
Ethylene. The reaction is C2H6→ C2H4 + H2. The Ethane fed at the rate of 10 tons/hr , is diluted
with steam (0.5 mole of steam :1 mole of Ethane)before entering the reactor to reduce amount of
undesired products. The reaction is maintained at 900 °C and 1.4 atm total pressures. Reaction is
first order irreversible and rate constant is 12.8 sec -1 at 900°[Link] the volume of reactor
required for 60% conversion of Ethane per pass.
76. For the following liquid phase reactions in parallel, product R is desired out of two products R &
S,
i. Desired reaction
A + B →R, dCR / dt = 1.0 CACB0.3 moles/lit min.
ii. Undesired reaction
A + B →S ,dCs / dt = 1.0 CA0.5CB1.8 moles/lit min.
90% conversion of A is desired .Feed comprises of pure A & pure B in equal proportion with
density of 20 mol/lit of each. Assuming that B is introduced into reactor in such a way that C B = 1
moles/lit, throughout the reactor. Find the Overall fractional yield.
77. For the parallel decomposition of A where R is desired and C A0 = 1

What is the maximum CR, we may expect in an isothermal operation in Batch reactor where the
value 𝑟𝑅 = 1, 𝑟𝑆 = 2CA, 𝑟𝑇 = CA2
78. Consider the aqueous reactions

For 90% conversion of A, find the concentration of R in the product stream. Equal volumetric
flow rates of the A and B streams are fed to the batch reactor, and each stream has a
concentration of 20 mol/liter of reactant. The flow in the reactors follows. (1) Plug flow (2)
Mixed flow (3) Plug flow A-Mixed flow B.
79. Discuss the product distribution for the following reaction qualitatively.
𝑘1 𝑘2
𝐴 → 𝑅 → 𝑆
80. Discuss quantitative treatment, plug flow reactor.
81. At present the elementary liquid phase reaction A +B-- R +S takes place in a PFR using
equimolar amount of A and B. Conversion is 96 %, CA0= CB0=1 mol/ liter. If a mixed flow
reactor ten times as large as the PFR were hooked up in series with the existing unit, which unit
should come first and by what fraction could production be increased for that setup?
82. Discuss the effect of temperature on equilibrium conversion as predicted by thermodynamics
keeping pressure fixed and discuss optimum temperature progression.
83. Discuss the effect of pressure and inerts on equilibrium conversion as predicted by
thermodynamics keeping temperature fixed and discuss the method to find the size of reactor
required for a given duty and for a given temperature progression
84. The elementary reaction A + B → R+ S is affected in a set up consisting of mixed reactor
into which the two reactant solutions are introduced followed by a PFR. A large enough excess of
B is used. Various ways of decreasing the production have been suggested one of which is to
 reverse the order of the two units. How would this change affect the conversion?

85. Discuss the conclusions which may be drawn from thermodynamics for chemical reaction

86. Discuss about equilibrium constants from thermodynamics.

87. An exothermic reaction is carried out in an adiabatic batch reactor. Show how fractional
conversion X, is related to temperature
88. Draw the concentration profile for following reaction

89. The rate constant k at 27°C is 1.3×10-3 sec-1 and its frequency factor is 2.785 ×10-6 sec-1.
Determine its Entropy of activation and Enthalpy of activation.
90. For aqueous reaction A ↔R, between the temperature range 0° to 100°C,
determine the equilibrium conversion as a function of temperature in graphicalform. What should
be the maximum temperature so that the conversion of A achieved is 75% or higher?
For CR° =CA° = 1 mol/liter,
ΔG°298 = -3375 cal/mol
ΔHr,298 = - 18,000 cal/mol