ChE 250

Spring 2000                                                                         

Problem Set #6

Due Thursday, March 9

 

Review all of Felder & Rosseau Chapter 4.

 

1.   Do F&R problem 4.46 - methyl acetate production

 

2.   (From Spring 1997 Exam II)  The dehydration of t-butanol to isobutene is run as an equilibrium-limited reaction with K_eq = 2.4 atm at T = 323 K.  The reactor is operated at 0.5 atm total pressure, and the feed is to contain 10 mole/min t-butanol.

 

 

a)   Calculate the equilibrium conversion expected when the feed is pure t-butanol.  Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. 

 

b)   It is common to add nitrogen or another inert gas to the feed stream to increase the butanol conversion.  Calculate the fractional conversion of butanol expected when the feed is 20 mole% t-butanol and 80 mole% nitrogen, at the same total pressure and butanol flow rate as before.  Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. 

 

c)   Comment briefly on the difference between the conversions expected for these conditions.  Give advantages and disadvantages of each plan.

 

3.   Do F&R problem 4.54 - simultaneous equilibria.  (For your solution to parts c and d, Excel or Mathcad will be easier to use than the Appendix A method suggested in the problem.)

 

4.   Do F&R problem 4.60 - methanol synthesis