CHEREKN

PROBLEM SET 5
RECYCLE REACTOR &
DESIGN FOR MULTIPLE REACTIONS
1.

At present we have 90% conversion of a liquid feed (n = 1 , C Ao = 10 mol/liter) to our

plug flow reactor with recycle of product (R = 2). If we shut off the recycle stream,
by how much will the processing rate of our feed change for the same 90%
conversion?
2. For the reaction, with CAo = 2 M
A R
rR = 1
A S
rS = 2CA
AT
rT = CA2
Find the maximum expected CS for isothermal operations in a
a. mixed flow reactor
b. plugflow reactor
3. For the reaction
A+XV
B+XW
k1/k2 = 0.44.
Find the instantaneous fractional yield of V in a plugflow reactor if C A = 0.9CAo and
CAo = CBo.
4. (7.7 Levenspiel) Substance A in the liquid phase produces R and S by the following
reactions:
A R
rR = k1CA2
A S
rS = k2CA
The feed (CAo = 1.0, CRo = 0, CSo = 0.3 mol/li) enters two mixed flow reactors in series
(1 = 2.5 min, 2, = 10 min). Knowing the composition in the first reactor (CA1 = 0.4,
CRl = 0.2, Cs1 = 0.7), find the composition leaving the second reactor.
5. (7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.11 Levenspiel) Liquid reactant A decomposes as follows:
A R
A S

rR = 0.4CA2 mol/m3.min
rS = C A

A feed of aqueous A (CAo = 40 mol/m3) enters a reactor, decomposes, and a mixture of

A, R, and S leaves.
a. Find CR and CS, and for XA = 0.9 in a mixed flow reactor.
b. Find CR and CS, and for XA = 0.9 in a plug flow reactor.
c. Find the operating condition (XA, , and CS) which maximizes Cs in a mixed flow
reactor.
d. Find the operating condition (XA, and CR) which maximizes CR in a mixed flow
reactor.
1

6.

When aqueous A and aqueous B (CAo = CBo) are brought together they react in two
possible ways:
A+BR+T
rR = 50CA mol/m3.h
A+BS+U
rS = 100CB mol/m3.h
to give a mixture whose concentration of active components (A, B, R, S,T, U) is Ctotal
= CAo + CBo = 60 mol/m3. Find the size of reactor needed and the R/S ratio produced
for 90% conversion of an equimolar feed of FAo = FBo = 300 mol/hr:
a. (7.23) in a mixed flow reactor
b. (7.24) in a plug flow reactor

7. The following irreversible reaction occurs at constant density: A B C (k1 =

0.15/min, k2 = 0.05/min). This reaction system is to be analyzed in continuous flow
reactors with volumetric feed rate of 5li/min and feed composition of C Ao = 0.5mol/li,
CBo = CCo = 0.
a.
What size backmix reactor will maximize the yield of B in the effluent?
b.
For higher production rate of B, which of the following systems is
preferable? Prove.
i. Single CSTR with V = 10 liters
ii. 2 CSTRs in series, each with a volume of 5 liters
8.

The successive irreversible reaction: A R S is first order. They are carried

out in a series of two identical stirred tank reactors operating at the same temperature.
The feed stream contains no R and S. What are the concentrations of A, R, and S in
the effluent stream for each reactor for the case where k1 = 0.1/h and k2 = 0.05/h and a
space time of 1.5 h in each reactor. Assume CAo = 1 mol/li.