Dr.

Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

Reactor Engineering
Series of Problems

Kinetic review
Taken from (Wallas 2.7)
The condensation of formaldehyde (A) with sodium parasulfonate (B) was studied by
Stults, Moulton and McCarthy (Chem. Eng. Prog. Symposium series, (1952), 4, p. 38) in a
intermittent reactor. The data on the formation rate of the monomer (MA) was followed by
100 C and pH=8.35. Initially, the amounts of A and B were equal. Determine if
the data fits a power law equation.

CF, gmol/L 0.131 0.123 0.121 0.117 0.111 0.104

t, min 0 10 20 30 40 60

Explain the obtained result. Could the conducted experiment be improved? Please explain.

2. Fogler: P5-4a
The irreversible isomerization:
A B
It is carried out in a batch reactor, where the following data were obtained
concentration against time:

t, min. 0 3 5 8 10 12 15 17.5
CA, mol/dm3 4.0 2.89 2.25 1.45 1.0 0.65 0.25 0.02

a) Determine the order of reaction, , and the kinetic coefficient, kA.

b) If it were possible to repeat this experiment to determine the kinetics, what would you do?
Different? Would the run be conducted at a higher, equal, or more elevated temperature? Would it take the
same points? I explained.
c) It is believed that the technician made a dilution error in the concentration taken at the
17.5 minutes. What do you think?

3. (J. M. Smith)
A tubular reactor is desired to be designed for the production of butadiene through
gas phase reaction:
C4H5 C4H6+ H2O
To do this, the reaction rate equation must be determined. On one hand, it is known that
the reaction can be considered irreversible and first order. On the other hand, a
series of experiments to determine the behavior of k with temperature. It
they obtained the following data:

°C 559 582 604 627 649

k [=] L-1 0.28 0.82 2.00 5.00 10.8
Determine the behavior of the kinetic coefficient k as a function of temperature.

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Dr. Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

k=A0exp[-EA/RT]=1.6656e15*e-30109/RT

[Link] 3.15 and 3.16 (Levenspiel 3rd edition)

Sucrose is hydrolyzed at room temperature by the catalytic action of the enzyme.
sucrose in the following way:
sacarasa
sucrose products
Starting from a concentration of sucrose CA01.0 mmol/L and a concentration of
enzyme CE0=0.01 mmol/L. The following data was obtained in a batch reactor
(The concentrations have been calculated from the angle of optical rotation):

CA,
0.84 0.68 0.53 0.38 0.27 0.16 0.09 0.04 0.018 0.006 0.0025
mmol/L
t, h 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Check if these data can be fitted by a kinetic equation of the Michaelis type.
Menten, or
 r A kCC
3 A E0
CA CM
If the adjustment is reasonable, calculate the values of k.3y CMUse the integral method of
data analysis.

Ideal isothermal reactors.

5. Problem 5.3 (O. Levenspiel, 2nd Edition)
In a batch reactor, the conversion of A into R is planned. The reaction takes place in phase
liquid; The stoichiometry of the reaction is: A→B; and the reaction rate is the
indicated in table 5-P3. Calculate the time each load must react for it to
concentration decreases from CA0=1.3 mol/L to CA=0.3 mol/L.

Table 5-P3
CAmol/L 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.3 2.0
A), 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.25 0.1 0.06 0.05 0.045 0.042
mol/(L*min)

resp: t≈12 min

6. (Problem 5.4 Levenspiel 2nd edition, modified)

Using the data from problem 5.3 calculate the spatial time ( necessary for the
concentration decreases from CA0=1.3 mol/L to CAS=0.3 mol/L
a) In a CSTR reactor
= 2min

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Dr. Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

7. (Problem 5.5, Levenspiel 2nd edition)

a) For problem 5.3, calculate the size of the continuous stirred tank reactor to achieve a
conversion of 75% with a feed of 1000 mol/hr (CA01.2 mol/L. 25 L
b) Repeat section A if the feed flow rate is doubled, that is, it is desired to treat
2000 moles of A/hr. V=50 L
c) Repeat section (a) maintaining the conversion at 0.75 and using the molar flow rate of
feeding equal to 1000 mol/min; but increasing the input concentration to
CA02.4 mol/L V=50 L
d) Repeat section (a) if the output concentration is now CA0.3 L and is maintained the
Feed concentration at 2.4 mol/L and the feed flow rate at 1000 mol/hr.
29.2 L

8. (J.J. Carberry)
Carbon monoxide can be oxidized at high temperature in a burner.
Let's assume that the burner can be simulated as a continuous stirred-tank reactor.
whose time of space can be considered as 10 s. And that operates isothermally. The
The kinetic coefficient for the oxidation of the monoxide is 0.1 s.-1at 1000 °C, while the
the activation energy is 70 kcal/mol. The fraction of CO in the feed stream
It is 1%. The properties of air can be considered constant.

What is the output conversion if the operating temperature is 1000 °C?

resp(XCO=0.5)
What would it be if operated at 800 °C?
resp(XCO=5.7213(10-3))

9. Find the conversion after half an hour in a batch reactor for:

½ -1
A→R, where (-rA)<Amol*L *hr-1When CA0=1 mol/L.
CA0.0625 mol A/L
What conversion is achieved if only C is changed?A0a 0.5 mol/L?

10. The reaction: A B

It is carried out isothermally in a continuous flow reactor. For both types of reactors.
(PFR and CSTR), calculate the necessary volume for a 99% consumption of A (i.e.
CA=0.01CA0when the molar feed flow is 5 mol/h, assuming that the
reaction speed is given by:
mol
(-RA)=kA, k A 0.05
(hr)(L)
1
(b) (-RA)=kACA k A 0.05

2 L
(c) (-RAACA, kA 0.05
(hr)(mol)
L
Additionally, the volumetric flow rate of feed is Q 0 10 .
hr

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Dr. Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

Note: FA C A Q for a constant 0 volumetricFA C Q

A 0 ,flow rate, Q=Q, and then
mol
5
FA 0 hr mol
also C A0 0.5 .
Q0 L L
10
hr
respuestas: a) CSTR=99L, PFR=99L
CSTR=19.8 m3PFR=0.92 m3
c) CSTR=3960 m3PFR=39.6 m3

11. The saponification reaction:

O O
CH2
NaOH + H3C O CH3 O Na+ + OH
It is second order and irreversible at low conversions. A laboratory reactor with
good mixing is charged with an aqueous solution containing NaOH and ethyl acetate,
both at initial concentrations equal to 0.1 N. After 15 minutes, the conversion of
ethyl acetate is 18%.
For an initial charge that contains NaOH and ethyl acetate in equal concentrations
At 0.2 N, calculate the time required to achieve a 30% conversion in a reactor.
intermittent with agitation on a commercial scale. What volume is necessary to produce?
50 kg of sodium acetate?
a) The required volume will be 10,163 L

12. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP: dibutyl phthalate), used as a plasticizer, presents a

potential market of 12 million lb. per year. It is produced with the reaction of n-butanol.
with butyl phthalate (MBT: monobutyl phthalate). The reaction is elementary and is catalyzed
with H2SO4.

O O
O C4H9 O C4H9
H2SO4
+ C4H9OH

OH O C4H9
O O

MBP n-butanol (DBP)

A stream that contains MBP and butanol is mixed with H.2SO4before the current
Enter the reactor. The concentration of the MBP in the input stream is 0.2 lb.
mol/ft3and the molar flow rate of butanol feed is 5 times that of MBP. The coefficient
specific reaction at 100 °C is 1.2 ft3There is a CSTR reactor of 1000 lbmol*hr.
gallons, with all the necessary peripheral equipment, available for use in this project
for 30 days a year.

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Dr. Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

Determine the output conversion in this reactor; if it is planned to produce 33% of the consumption.
(i.e. 4 million lb/year) of the predicted market.
How could the conversion be increased and the operating time reduced?

Answer X=0.33.

Reversible reactions
13. After studying its kinetics, the following reaction can be described as:
A B(-rA= 0.04CA-0.01CR, [=] mol*L-1minimum-1.
a) Determine the equilibrium conversion.
resp a)XAEQ0.8
b) Find the time required to achieve a 76% conversion in a reactor.
intermittent yes: CA0=1 mol/L.
resp t=59.9 min
c) In a piston flow reactor (2 m3a power supply of 100 enters
L/min, which contains reagent A (CA0=100 mmol/L). What is the conversion of
exit?
resp XA=0.50
d) Compare the performance of the reactor in c) with a CSTR, under the same conditions.
What is the output conversion?
CSTR=0.4

14. The esterification rate of acetic acid and alcohol can be increased with HCl.
as a homogeneous catalyst. At 100°C, the reaction rate is:
Direct R2=k2CHCOH, gmol/[L*min], k2=4.76(10-4) L/[gmol*min]
the inverse: R'2=k'2CECWmmol/[L*min], k’2=1.63(10-4) L/[gmol*min]
where: CHacetic acid concentration.
COHAlcohol concentration
CEEster concentration
CWWater concentration
An initial mixture consists of a mixture of aqueous solutions with equal masses of 90%
in weight of acid and 95% of an ethanol solution.
Calculate the conversion of acid to ester for various reaction times under conditions of
constant volume. Assuming complete miscibility.
Also estimate the equilibrium conversion.
resp 0.639

15. In a continuous stirred-tank reactor, the reversible elementary reaction takes place:

A R (-rA) = k1CA–k2CR Keq= 2

Where a 50% conversion of X is achievedAe.

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Dr. Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

How much should the feed rate be adjusted to achieve a conversion of

50%?

Reactions with change in volumetric flow due to stoichiometry.

16. (Fogler P1-12)
The reaction in the gas phase:
A B+C
It is carried out isothermally in a batch reactor with a constant volume of 20 dm.3This
The reactor is well stirred. Initially, 20 moles of pure A are placed inside the reactor.
a). If the reaction is first order:

-rA= kCA with k=0.865 min-1.

Calculate the time required to reduce the number of moles of A in the reactor to 0.2
mol. resp 1.33 min
b) If the reaction is of second order:
2dm3
 rA kCA 2 with k
mol*min
Calculate the time required to consume 19.0 mol of A.
resp=5 min

c) If the operating temperature is 127 ºC. What is the initial total pressure? What is the
final pressure if total conversion is achieved?, what is the pressure when consuming the 19
moles of A?

17. The gas-phase reaction between ethylene (A) and hydrogen to produce ethane is
carried out in a CSTR. The feed contains 40% mol of ethylene, 40% mol of
hydrogen, and 20% mol of inert substances (I), which enter the reactor with a total flow of 1.5
mol*min-1, with Q02.5 L*min-1The reaction is first order with respect to both.
reactives, hydrogen and ethylene, where kA0.25 L*mol-1*min-1Determine the volume of
Reactor required to produce a current that contains 60% mol of ethane. Assume that
P and T are constants.
resp: X=0.304
18. The following reaction is to be carried out:
2
4 C2H4 (C H ) (-RA=0.6 CAmol/(L*s)
2 4 4

For this, a series of tubes is available, each 3.5 m long and 5 cm in diameter.
internal diameter.
Calculate the number of tubes that would form an isothermal reactor, operated at 550 °C, for
obtain a 60% conversion of acetylene to tetramer. If this reactor is fed with 200
m3Gas formed by 80% acetylene and 20% inerts; measured at 550°C and 20 atm
pressure.
resp ~51 tubes

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Reactor systems
19. (Smith 4.22). It is planned to hydrolyze acetic anhydride in three tank reactors with
agitation operated in series. The feed flows to the first reactor (V=1 L) at a
speed of 400 cm3/min. The second and third reactors have volumes of 2 and 1.5 L,
respectively. The temperature is 25°C and under those conditions the constant of
the irreversible first-order rate is 0.158 min -1Use the graphical method to
calculate the hydrolyzed fraction in the effluent of the third reactor.
CA30.25

20. It has C6H7Cl that reacts in the liquid phase to form C6H6+ HCl the equation of
speed can be represented as:
(rA) kCA E A 60.8kcal/mol
A0 4 (1032)

It is required to achieve an 80% conversion. If CA0=1 M and if the operating temperature

It is at 100°C. Calculate the minimum size of a system of two connected CSTR reactors.
in series.
resp: 1300 L

21. The reaction in the liquid phase is present.

k1C A
A B C   rA  k10.1 mol0.5*L-0.5*min-1y k25 L*mol-1.
1  k 2C A
Consider that CA0=1 M.
a) What reactor system do you recommend if one wishes to minimize the
total volume of the reactors needed to achieve a conversion of 70%?
resp: 1 CSRTR
b) What is the size of each of the reactors specified in a)?
resp =39 min

Non-isothermal reactors.
22. It has been determined that the first-order reversible gaseous reaction:
k1
A B
Present the following data:
k1=103exp [-4800/RT] seg-l
Cp = cpB- cpA= 0
HR-8000 cal/mol at 300°K
K = 10 at 300°K
The feed is made up of A pure, the total pressure of the system remains constant.
Determine: a) The equilibrium conversion as a function of temperature.

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23. The liquid phase hydrolysis of diluted aqueous solutions of acetic anhydride is a
second order process (irreversible) represented by the reaction:
(CH3CO)2+ H2O 2 CH3Carboxylic acid group
An intermittent reactor is used to carry out hydrolysis. This reactor is charged with 200
L of an anhydride solution with a concentration of 2.16(10-4)gmol/cm3You can consider
the specific heat and the density of the reacting mixture are essentially constant
equal to 0.9 cal/(g*°C) and 1.05 g/cm 2It can also assume the heat of reaction.
constant and equal -50,000 cal/gmol. The reaction rate has been investigated in a certain
temperature range; the following are some typical results.

T, °C 10 15 25 40
-R, gmol/cm3*min 0.0567C 0806C 0.1580C 0.380C

Where C represents the concentration of acetic anhydride in gmol/cm3.

a) Explain why the expression for velocity can be written as shown in the table.
even if the reaction is second order.
b) If the reactor is cooled so that its operation is isothermal at 15°C. What
How much time would be needed to achieve a 70% conversion of the anhydride?
resp: t=14 min
c) Determine an analytical expression for the reaction rate in terms of the
temperature and concentration.
5712.1

resp:   RA  3.28(10 )e 7 T

d) What time is required to achieve a 70% conversion if the reactor is

does it operate adiabatically?
t=11.4 min

1000 Kg/h of a 40% by weight aqueous acetic acid solution is desired to be produced.
carrying out the hydrolysis of acetic anhydride in a CSTR reactor operated at 50 °C.
Calculate
a) Volume of the reactor needed if the required outlet conversion is 95%.
resp  
b) The initial concentration of acetic anhydride required to achieve the percentage of acid
required upon exit.
CA03.56 gmol/L
c) If the reactor is intended to operate in an adiabatic manner and the temperature is desired
If the output is 50 °C, at what temperature should acetic anhydride be fed?

Additional data:
Reaction: (CH3CO)2+ H2O→2 CH3COOH
log k [=] 1/min = 7.531 - 2495.109/T (K)
 50 °CPm0.84 cal/g °C, HREAC-50000 cal/mol

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Dr. Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

25. A tubular flow reactor is to be designed for the production of butadiene through
from the reaction in the gaseous phase:

C4H8 C4H6+ H2

The feeding composition is 10 moles of vapor per mole of butene (without butadiene,
in hydrogen)/h. The reactor operates at two atmospheres of pressure at a temperature of
input (feed) of 1200 ºF. The reaction rate corresponds to an equation
first-order irreversible.
The kinetic coefficient shows the following behavior as a function of temperature:

T, K 922 900 877 855 832

k, h-1 11.0 4.90 2.04 0.085 0.32

The reaction heat can be considered constant and equal to HR=23 360 cal/gmol.
Similarly, the specific heat of the flow is constant and equal to 0.5 BTU/(lb*ºR).

a. What will be the required volume if the reactor operates isothermally with a
conversion of butenes of 20%?
b. What will be the expected volume of the reactor if it operates adiabatically at the same
conversion?

26. The following irreversible endothermic reaction in the gas phase:

A C+D
It is carried out adiabatically in a CSTR reactor. Pure A enters at 10 moles of A/min.
with a concentration of 2 mol/L at a temperature of 80 °C. The activation energy for
the reaction has been determined to be 20,000 cal/mol and the specific coefficient of
reaction speed is 500 min.-1100 °C.

a) What is the reaction volume required to achieve 80% conversion?

What is the final conversion if the reactor volume is equal to 1000 dm?3?
b2) What is the outlet temperature of the same reactor?

Additional data: CpA150 cal/(mol*K), CpB75 cal/(mol*K), CpC75 cal/(mol*K)

27. It has been determined that the first-order reversible gas reaction:
k1
A B
Present the following data:
k1103exp [-4800/RT] seg-l
Cp = cpB- cpA= 0
HR-8000 cal/mol at 300°K
K = 10 at 300°K

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Dr. Rogelio Cuevas García Series of problems Reactor Engineering

The feed is made up of pure A.

The total pressure of the system remains constant, p=1 atm.
a) Determine the equilibrium conversion as a function of temperature.
b) Build the graph of constant reaction speeds as a function of temperature.

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