CHEN 804: Tutorial26

1. From the point view of existence of only two principal entities in nature (matter and
energy), follow the argument of thermodynamics cum Newton’s laws of motion to
discuss the phenomena of chemical reaction,
2. An irreversible homogenous reaction 2 A + B→ A2 B , has the rate of product formation
2
0.72 C A C B
given as: r A B= , based on the non-elementary nature of the rate equation, a
2
1+2C B
¿
reaction scheme A+ B ⇌ AB¿; AB + A ⇌ A 2 B was suggested. Is this suggested reaction
mechanism or its modified variant a possibility?
3. Discuss on the role of chemical reaction kinetics to understanding life in general
4. Discuss on the role of Volcano curve in understanding chemical reaction kinetics, and
deduce the profiting of the Sabatier principle from it.
5. Succinctly differentiate between shrinking and unshrinking particles in fluid-solid
reaction kinetics with a viable example in each case.
6. Outline the reactant and product path in a reaction involving a gaseous reactant reacting
on a solid surface if the Shrinking core model (SCM) as detailed by Yagi and Kunii
(1955) holds
7. Show that in a reaction involving a gaseous reactant (A) reacting on a solid (B) surface,
and the Shrinking core model (SCM) with diffusion through ash layer controls :

[ ( ) ( )]
2 2 3
ρB R rc rc
t= 1−3 +2
6 b De C Ag R R
8. Distinguish between physical adsorption and chemisorption
9. In developing a catalyst for propane aromatization process in a fixed bed reactor, discuss
the paramount characteristics to consider guaranteeing an effective performance.
10. How is Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics different from Eley-Rideal kinetics?
11. For the decomposition of cumene (C) to benzene (B) and propylene (P)

C6H5CH(CH3)2 ⇌ C6H6 + C3H6 11.1

⇌
platinum catalyst

⇌
C+S C.S 11.2

⇌
C.S B.S + P 11.3

⇌
B.S B+S 11.4
I+S I.S 11.5
Develop an appropriate rate equation for the case where the overall rate of the above
reaction is surface reaction controlled. Where I = inert or inhibitor
12. For a fluid-solid reaction, write on importance of catalysis with respect to energy
demand, and how is product selectivity affected where multiple reaction products are
possible by choice of appropriate active catalytic ingredient? Illustrative diagrams may be
an added advantage for clarity.
 13. Fixed bed reactor system is the oldest and most understood fluid-solid processing system.
Every other development is basically to satisfy human inquisitive nature and routine
academic frivolities. Register your agreement or otherwise with the above stated view.
14. When can catalyst poisoning be regarded as irreversible?
15. Describe the chemistry involved in the regeneration of a fouled FCC catalyst.
16. Effect of Internal Mass-Transfer Resistance on kinetics of an immobilized active metal
ions in transforming a gas phase reactant to product was studied via modelling from the
continuity equation as follows: Input – Output + Generation = Accumulation

{ 2
4 π ( r +dr ) DS
[ d CS d d Cs
+
dr dr dr ( ) 2
dr −r DS
]
d CS
dr
+ ( r dr ) r S } ¿ 4 π r dr
2 2 d CS
dt
When simplified by assuming a steady-state condition, and also eliminate dr2 or dr3 it
gives,

( )
2
d CS 2 d CS
+
DS +r S=0
d r 2 r dr
17. Show that if the intrinsic kinetics of the reaction can be represented by zero order power
law type, the spatial concentration of the reactant can be represented as:

( )
2
C S 1 ko R r2
= −1 +1
C Sb 6 C Sb D S R 2
b. What is the optimum pellet size under this reaction condition?

c. Show that if the distribution model holds for this system, then effectiveness

( )
3/2
6 DS C Sb
factor, η=1- 1- 2 ;
R ko
d. what will be the effectiveness factor if the catalyst particle diameter is increased to 5 cm
instead of the optimum value above?
18. Enumerate The stages Involved in transiting from a typical fixed bed set up to a typical
riser usable as a fluid catalytic cracker.
19. Give your opinion on the puzzle of many decades, on why the unexpected poor
conversion in Bubbling Fluid Catalytic Reactors.
20. The feed to the first stage of a sulfur dioxide converter is at 100 kPa and 700 K, and
contains 9.5 mol % SO2, 11.5% O2 and 79% N2. The feed rate of SO2 is 7.25 kg s-1. The
mass of catalyst (W) is 6000 kg, the bed voidage (ꜪB) is 0.45, the bulk density of the bed
(ꝭB) is 500 kg m-3 and the effective particle diameter (ďp) is 15 mm; the fluid viscosity
(µf) is 3.8 x 10-5 kgm-1s-1. The allowable pressure drop (-ΔP) is 7.5 kPa.
(a) Calculate the bed diameter (D) and the bed depth (L) in m, assuming that the fluid
density and viscosity are constant
(b) What is the technical implication of large bed height to its diameter?
21. Estimate the amount of catalyst (Wcat/kg) required for a fluidized-bed reactor according to
the Kunii-Levenspiel bubbling-bed model, for the production of 60, 000 Mg year-1 of
acrylonitrile by the ammoxidation of propylene with air
 The following data and assumption may be found useful: ignore the heat transfer
configuration within the bed and other internal features, Only C3H3N is formed with
water. The feed contains C3H6 and NH3 in the stoichiometric ratio and 40% excess air (79
mole % of N2 and 21 mole % of O2), Conversion is based on 65% of C3H6, T = 400oC and
P = 2 bar, the annual stream service factor (fraction of time in operation is 0.9 and D b =
0.1 m; d p = 0.05 mm; ρ p = 2500 kg m-3; µf = 1.44 kg h-1 m-1; umf = 0.002 m s-1; α = 0.6; Dm
= 0.14 m2h-1 at 400oC; Ꜫpa = 0.5; Ꜫmf = 0.6; kA = 1.0 s-1; u fl = 720 m h-1 and γ b = 0.004.
The following data evaluated from the K-L hydrodynamic empirical correlations may be found
useful:ubr =0.704 m s−1; ub =0.902 m s−1; K Ce=0.8685 s−1; K BC =1.24 s−1; γ cw=0.245; γ e =1.153.

( )
ρ p q ( 1−∈mf ) u br C A0
W cat= ln
k overall u fl CA

1
k overall =γ b k A+
1 1
+
K bc 1
γ cw k A +
1 1
+
K ce γ e k A

22. It was once held that a catalyst remained unchanged during the entire process of a given
catalysis. However, industrial experiences indicate that such position is a fallacy. Give
your professional opinion on this duel.
23. A coked porous catalyst is to be regenerated by passage of a stream of CO2 over it at
1000 K for reaction according to C (s) + CO2 (A) 2CO (B). From the data given
below, determine the following characteristics of the regeneration process at the
conditions given: (i) the Thiele modulus, (ii) the effectiveness factor, and (iii) the
(actual) rate of regeneration, (-rA)obs.

Data: For the catalyst, De = 0.001 cm2 s-1, Le = 0.7 cm; cAs (exterior surface concentration) = 0.12
mol L-1, The reaction follows LH kinetics, with the intrinsic rate given by (−r A )∫ ¿=k c /( 1+ K c + K c ) ¿
A A A B B

Where k = 3.8 x 10-4 s-1, KA = 340 L mol-1, KB = 4.2 x 106 L mol-1, and ci is in mol L-1
L (−r A ) @ c
Information: ϕ = e ∫ As
G
¿¿¿

24. Roasting zinc sulfide in air, at 900oC and 2 bar resulted in the formation of zinc oxide
according to the following stoichiometry:
2ZnS(s) + 3O2(g) 2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g)
A preliminary kinetic investigation revealed the overall process was limited by the
diffusion through the ash layer following a shrinking core model.
If the available sulfide particles size is 50 µm on the average, and its bulk density is 4.1
g/ cm3 and the mass transfer coefficient of the air through the external gas film is 10-3
m/s.
From the first principle, determine the time it will take the unreacted core to shrink to
50% of its original size