Mass Balances

MASS BALANCES

1 Systems of units

1.1 Systeme International ( SI )

SI system is the official system throughout the world.

Fundamental( basic) units

Length - metre -m
mass - kilogram - kg
time - second -s
temperature - kelvin - K (not degree kelvin)

Derived units

Volume - cubic meters - m3

force - kilogram meter / second2 - N ( Newton) or kg m / s2
pressure - Newton / m2 - N / m2 or pascal ( Pa)
energy - Newton meter - J (Joule) or Nm

1.2 American Engineering

length - foot - ft
mass - pound mass - lbm
time - second -s
temperature - degree Fahrenheit - 0F
volume - cubic foot - ft3
force - pound force - lbf

1.3 Centimetre-gram-second( cgs)

length - centimetre - cm
mass - gram - gm
time - second -s
volume - cubic centimetre - cm3
temperature - degree centigrade - C or K

1.4 General
From sections 1.1,1.2, and 1.3 it is clear that mass and volume have different units
based on the system we use. These units must always be included with the
numerical value or it has no meaning. Thus 1000g and 1 kg are identical and it does
not matter which is used, provided the correct label (unit) is given. In general,
chemical engineers tend to use SI units i.e. kg for mass and m3 for volume.

e.g. Flow rate of feed into a reactor is 150 kg/s. Just 150 is not acceptable.

1
 Mass Balances

2. SYMBOLS

Chemists and Engineers use symbols to represent atoms. Every element has a
different symbol. Elements are listed in the Periodic Table.
Oxygen = O

The letter O stands for one atom and O2 stands for two atoms of oxygen

Sometimes two letters are needed to represent an element

eg Sodium = Na second letter always in lower

case

first letter is always written in capital letters

Whether the symbol of an element is one letter or two letters, the symbol stands for
one atom of the element. When an element is represented by two letters, the first
letter is in capital and the second letter is in lower character. Sometimes the letters
are taken from the Latin name of the element

e.g.
Copper = Cu from Cuprum (Latin name)

Iron = Fe from Ferrum (Latin name)

Cobalt = Co ( single element)

Aluminium = Al ( single element)

Number of elements in a compound

Carbon dioxide = CO2 (a compound consisting Carbon and

Oxygen - both letters capital)

Sulphuric acid = H2SO4 ( three capital letters, hence there are

three elements – H, S and O )

Calcium phosphate = Ca3(PO4)2 (three capital letters, hence there are three
elements– Ca, P and O)

Symbols of some common elements

Element Symbol Element Symbol Element Symbol

Aluminium Al Gold Au Oxygen O
Barium Ba Hydrogen H Phosphorus P
Bromine Br Iodine I Potassium K
Calcium Ca Iron Fe Silver Ag
Carbon C Lead Pb Sodium Na
Chlorine Cl Magnesium Mg Sulphur S
Copper Cu Mercury Hg Tin Sn
Fluorine F Nitrogen N Zinc Zn

2
 Mass Balances

3 Naming of Compounds

When you try to name an inorganic compound from the chemical formula the first
thing you should do is to name the first symbol. In the formula CO 2 the first symbol C
is carbon and therefore the name should begin with carbon --------. In the formula
CaCO3, the first symbol is calcium and therefore the name should begin with
calcium -------.
The reminder of the formula indicates the rest of the name.

When the ending is a single element, the name is usually derived by ending the
name with an – ide ending

1) Compounds made up of a metal and a non-metal:- metal is always written

first.
Eg. NaCl sodium chloride ( Na is a metal and Cl is a non-metal)
MgO magnesium oxide ( Mg is a metal and O is a non-metal)

2) Compounds made up of two non-metals:- the non-metal that is either lower

down the group(if both non-metals are in the same group) or nearest to the left
hand side of the periodic table is placed first.

e.g. sulphur and oxygen SO2 sulphur dioxide

carbon and oxygen CO2 carbon dioxide
carbon and sulphur CS2 carbon disulphide

3) Compounds made up of three elements

a) metal, non-metal, and oxygen: these compounds have - ate ending.

e.g. Na, S, O Na2SO4 sodium sulphate

In this case you ignore the fact that there are two sodium atoms

b) metal, hydrogen, oxygen: these compounds have a hydroxide ending with

O written before H.

e.g. K, H, O KOH potassium hydroxide

Na, O, H NaOH sodium hydroxide

3.1 Names used for the end groups of inorganic formulae

Unless you know the names of the groups listed in the table given below, you cannot
name the compounds. Ensure you learn these names.

Group Name used for the end Exampl Name

group e
O Oxide ZnO zinc oxide
S sulphide ZnS zinc sulphide
Cl chloride NaCl sodium chloride
F fluoride CaF2 calcium fluoride
I iodide KI potassium iodide
Br bromide PbBr2 lead bromide
OH hydroxide NaOH sodium hydroxide
SO4 sulphate MgSO4 magnesium
3
 Mass Balances

sulphate
NO3 nitrate NaNO3 sodium nitrate
CO3 carbonate BeCO3 berillium carbonate
HCO3 Hydrogen carbonate or NaHCO3 sodium bicarbonate
bicarbonate Sodium
hydrogencarbonate

Some compounds are commonly referred to by non-systematic names. The more

common ones are given below in the table. You should learn these names.

Formula Name
H2O water
HNO3 nitric acid
H2SO4 sulphuric acid
HCl (aq) hydrochloric acid (acid
solution)
HCl (g) hydrogen chloride( gas )
NH3 ammonia
NO nitric oxide
CH4 methane

Another fact you should know is that some elements can form more than one
compound with another element. The commonest example is CO and CO2, known as
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. In general, if an element forms more than
one compound with another element the following prefixes are used:

One = mono- e.g. CO carbon monoxide

Two = di- e.g. SO2 sulphur dioxide
Three = tri- e.g. SO3 sulphur trioxide
Four = tetra- e.g. CCl4 carbon tetrachloride

3.2 Formulae (plural for formula)

Calculations are based on formulae and equations. A formula represents one

molecule of a substance and consists of the symbols of the elements present (and
some numbers given in subscripts- small characters). The numbers show the ratio in
which the atoms are present in the compound.

Water consists of particles and each particle contains one oxygen atom joined by
chemical bonds to two hydrogen atoms. The particle is called a molecule of water
(mol for short)

e.g. sulphuric acid

H2SO4 has three different elements but 7 atoms in total

i.e. 2 H atoms, 1 S atom, 4 O atoms ; total atoms = 7

3 H2SO4 3 moles of sulphuric acid

The three in front of H2SO4 multiplies every thing which comes after it.

∴total number of atoms = 3 { 1 x 2 + 1 x 1 + 1 x 4 } = 3 X 7 = 21 atoms

4
 Mass Balances

H S O

i.e. there are 6 H atoms, 3 S atoms, 12 O atoms : total = 21 atoms

e.g. calcium hydroxide

Ca(OH)2 three different elements with 1 Ca, 2 O, 2 H atoms

total number of atoms = 5 atoms

4Ca(OH)2 4 Ca, 8 O, 8 H total = 20 atoms

when you write the folmula of a compound you need to know the valancies of the
elements and ions. Learn the following:

Name Symbol Charge Name Symbol Charge

(valency) (valency)
Hydrogen H+ +1 Hydroxide OH1- -1
Ammonium NH4+ +1 Nitrate NO31- -1
Potassium K+ +1 Chloride Cl1- -1
Sodium Na+ +1 Bromide Br1- -1
Silver Ag+ +1 Iodide I1- -1
Copper (I) Cu+ +1 Hydrogen- HCO31- -1
carbonate
Barium Ba2+ +2 Oxide O2- -2
Calcium Ca2+ +2 Sulphide * S2- -2
Copper (II) Cu2+ +2 Sulphite * SO32- -2
Iron (II) Fe2+ +2 Sulphate * SO42- -2
Lead Pb2+ +2 Carbonate CO32- -2
Magnesium Mg2+ +2
Zinc Zn2+ +2
Aluminium Al3+ +3 Phosphate PO43- -3
Iron (III) Fe3+ +3

You’ll notice that some components have variable valency

e.g. Fe2+ and Fe3+ Cu+ and Cu2+

Note: * note the difference in spelling

5
 Mass Balances

4. Names of Organic Compounds

Organic compounds

Alkane series ( CnH2n+2 ) Alkyne series ( CnH2n-2)

Naming is same as alkane but
replace –ane with -yne
CH4 methane
C2H6 ethane C2H2 ethyne
C3H8 propane C3H4 propyne
C4H10 butane
C5H12 pentane
C6H14 hexane Aromatic hydrocarbon
C7H16 heptane
C8H18 octane C6H6 benzene
C6H5CH3 methylbenzene
Alkene series (CnH2n)

naming same as alkane, but Alcohol

replace -ane by –ene

C2H4 ethene CH3OH methanol

C3H6 propene C2H5OH ethanol

5. The Amount of Substance - The Mole

Amount is a physical quantity like mass, volume etc. If the object is very small and if
there are millions of them it is easier to count by weighing.

e.g. Banks count coins by weighing. If you know how many coins are in 100 g it is
easy to determine the number of coins in 1000 kg.

Atoms, molecules and ions are so small that they are almost counted by weighing.
The counting unit is the MOLE (abbreviation is mol). i.e. mole represents an amount
or quantity of a substance.

40 g 56 g 197 g 127 g
calcium iron gold iodine

All the above masses contain the same number of atoms. Chemists refer to
23
6.022 X 10 atoms of an element as one mole of the element.
Thus one gram mole ( mol ) is the formula weight of any substance
= Avagadro’s number
23
= 6.022 X10 particles (atoms, ions, molecules).

Mole is expressed as:

mol ( any substance) = Mass

Relative molecular mass (RMM) or RAM

If mass is in pounds, lb, then mole = lb mol

If mass is in grams, gm, then mole = g mol, but generally known as mol
6
 Mass Balances

If mass in kilogram, kg, then mole = kmol

The mass of 1 mole of atoms is found by looking up the relative atomic mass of the
element. Since the relative atomic mass of sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl) are 23 and
35.5, respectively, the relative molecular mass of NaCl is 58.5 (23+35.5).

Therefore 58.5 gram is equivalent to 1 mol ( 1 g mol )

58.5 kilogram is equivalent to 1 kmol
58.5 pounds is equivalent to 1 lb-mol

NOTE: These will all have different number of particles.

Exercise 5.1
a) Find the relative molecular mass of H2SO4 and Cl2 .
b) Find the mass of 3 moles of Fe2(SO4)3.

5.1 Moles in Solution

1 litre = 1 dm3 = 1000 cm3 = 1* 10-3 m3

1 cm3 = 1 x 10-6 m3

A solution containing one mole of solute dissolved to make one litre of solution is
often called molar solution.
3
The concentration of a solution is measured in moles per dm ( litre) is called the
molarity of the solution.

Symbols we use Chemists Chemical Engineers

Volume of solution = v measured in dm3 measured in m3
Concentration of solution = c moles dm-3 kmol m-3
Number of moles = n

n
C =
V

-3
A solution of NaOH containing 0.1 mol dm can be called as 0.1 molar and can be
written as 0.1 M NaOH. Molarity is used in chemical laboratories (eg. Titration)

Exercise 5.2
3
a) If 140 g of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is dissolved in 2500 cm of water what is
the concentration (molar) of the solution.
b) What is concentration of 175.5 kg of NaCl dissolved in 2 m3of water?

7
 Mass Balances

6 Concentration

6.1 Mass Fraction

components Consider a tank comprising

A, B & C components A, B & C

mass fraction of A = mass of A

Total mass of mixture (A+B+C)

mass of A = mass fraction A * total mass of mixture

Sum of mass fraction = 1 (use this as a check after your calculations)

Exercise 6.1
5 kg of A, 2 kg of B and 3 kg of C are mixed in a container. What is the mass fraction
of A. Confirm the sum of mass fraction is equal to 1.

6.2 % w/w ( mass percent)

The symbol % w/w (or weight percent) is used to indicate concentration on a mass
basis.

components
% w/w (mass percent ) A, B & C of substance A = mass of A
* 100
Total mass of mixture (A+B+C)

∴mass of A = % w/w of A * total mass of mixture

100
NOTE: % w/w will be the same regardless of the units used. i.e. g, kg, lb

100 kg of methanol/water mixture having a concentration of 15 % w/w methanol will

have 15 kg of methanol and 85 kg of water. 150 kg of the same mixture will have 22.5
kg of methanol and 127.5 kg of water.

Exercise 6.2
A storage tank has 1500 kg of A, 2000 kg of B and 5500 kg of C. Calculate the mass
% of C and confirm % w/w of all the components add up to 100 %.

6.3 Volume percent ( % v/v)

The symbol % v/v is used to indicate concentration on a volume basis.

volume % of any substance = volume of that substance * 100

total volume of mixture

As for mass fraction,

Volume fraction = volume
total volume

8
 Mass Balances

Sum of volume fraction = 1

e.g. An aqueous solution of HCl with a concentration of 3.5 % v/v has 3.5 m 3 HCl
mixed with 96.5 m3 water. It could also means 3.5 cm3 HCl mixed with 96.5 cm3
water.

6.4 Mol percent ( mol%)

As for % v/v,
mol % = mole of A * 100
total moles in mixture

e.g. In gaseous systems 21% v/v oxygen in air means that in every 100 m 3 of air
there is 21 m3 of O2.

NOTE: It does not matter whether we illustrate a concentration in terms of ml, l (litre)
or m3, provided there is consistency.

Exercise 6.3
A storage tank has the following compounds; A = 1000 kmol, B = 5000 kmol, C =
2000 kmol and D = 8000 kmol. Calculate the mole fraction and mol % of all the
components and tabulate your results. Confirm sum of mole fraction and mol % are 1
and 100, respectively.

7 GAS LAWS

Changes in temperature and pressure have little effect on the volume of a liquid or a
solid, but a considerable effect on the volume of a gas. There are various gas laws.

7.1 Boyle’ Law

The volume of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure, provided
the temperature remains constant. Mathematically it can be expressed as

V P = constant ------------------------- 1

Where P = pressure, V = volume

7.2 Charle’s Law

The volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure is directly proportional to its
absolute temperature, K
V ∞ T

i.e.V = constant -------------------------------- 2

T
Where T = temperature in Kelvin (K)
7.3 The Equation Of State for an Ideal Gas

Gases which obey Boyle's law and Charle's law are called ideal gases. By combining
equations 1 & 2 the following equation can be obtained.

9
 Mass Balances

i.e. P1 V1 = P2 V2 equation of state for

T1 T2 an ideal gas

A gas has a volume of V1 at temperature T1 and pressure P1. If the condition are
changed to pressure P2 and temperature T2, the new volume, V2, can be calculated
using the above equation.

It is usual to compare gas volume at 0 C and 1 atmosphere (1 atm). This is referred

to as standard temperature and pressure (s.t.p.).

Avogadro's law (hypothesis) states that equal volume of gases, measured at the
same temperature and pressure contain equal number of molecules. In other words
the volume occupied by one mole of gas is the same for all gasses. It is called gas
molar volume.

1 mole of any gas occupies 22.4 dm3 at s.t.p.

1 mole of any gas occupies 24.0 dm3 at 20 C & 1 atm

1 kmol of any gas occupies 22.4 m3 at s.t.p.

The above should be memorised

7.4 Useful Units

1 atm = 1.01325 * 105 pascal (Pa) = 101.325 kilopascal (kPa)

= 1.01325 * 105 Newton’s per square meter ( N/m2 )
= 760 mm mercury
1 bar = 1.0 * 105 Pa
1 atm. = 14.7 psi
1 bar = 14.5 psi

7.5 Ideal Gas Equation

In gaseous systems a simple relationship exists between volume and mole which is
useful in performing calculations. In this case it will always assumed that any gas is at
condition at which the Ideal Gas Law applies.

The equation is:

PV = nRT

Where P = pressure, V = volume, n = number of moles

R = molar gas constant and T = absolute temperature (K)

The molar gas constant, R, is the same for all gases.

1 mole of gas at 0 C and 101325 Pa occupy 0.0224 m3 (22.4 dm3)

substituting in the equation PV = nRT

R = PV = 101325 * 0.0224 = 8.314 J k-1 mol-1

nT 1 * 273

10
 Mass Balances

For 1 mole of gas PV = RT

For n moles of gas PV = nRT

NOTE: In practise, real gases obey the ideal gas equation very closely at low
pressure and high temperature.

If the mass of gas is m and its molar mass M (RMM) then we can rewrite the ideal
gas equation as:

PV = m RT
M

or m = PVM or M = m RT
RT PV

From PV = nRT, it also follows that at constant temperature and pressure the volume
is proportional to the number of kmol (mol).

i.e V = kmol * constant

so V1/ V2 = kmol1/ kmol2

∴ Vol% = Mol% for an ideal gas

Exercise 7.1

What amount ( no. of moles ) of an ideal gas occupies 5.8 dm 3 at 2.5 X 105 Nm-2
and 300 K.

Exercise 7.2

Calculate the molar mass of a gas which has a density of 1.798 g dm -3 at 298 K and
101 kNm-2.

Now do tutorial A

8 Chemical Processes

CHEMICAL PROCESSES

11
 Mass Balances

Batch Processes Continuous Processes Semibatch processes

Steady state or Transient

Temperature, pressure, volume Process variables change with time.

remain constant(e.g. distillation). (e.g. batch & semibatch processes)

8.1 Batch Processes

Predetermined amount of feed is charged into the system at the beginning of the
process, and the products are removed all at once after a given time or after
equilibrium has been achieved. No mass crosses the system boundaries between the
time the feed is charged and the time the product is removed.

E.G.
Add measured quantities of three reactants to a reactor and remove the products and
unreacted reactants after a predetermined time i.e. when the system has reached
equilibrium.

8.2 Continuous Processes

The feed and products flow continuously throughout the duration of the process.
E.G. Distillation Column.

8.3 Semibatch Processes

Any process which is neither batch nor continuous.

E.G.
Blending of several chemicals (petrol) in a tank from which nothing is being
withdrawn until the blending operation is completed.

12
 Mass Balances

9 Basic Ideas in the Mass Balance (Material Balance)

9.1 General

A mass balance is a re-statement of the law of conservation of mass. Matter is

neither created nor destroyed for chemical processes, but some variations on the
statement need to be considered. So how are the consequences of the conservation
law applied to the mass balance?

In industry mass balance is carried out to account for all the material in a process. If
you look at a chemical plant you will see a very large number of pipes, tanks, vessels,
columns, heaters, pumps and instruments. Chemical engineers need to be able to
understand how to design many of these, to understand how they fit together and
how to calculate the amount of each chemical flowing or exiting at every point in the
system. Mass balance for a single unit is simple, but for a large process it is often
complex.

9.2 The System

Balance of any kind is made with respect to a definite entity; this entity is usually
referred to as a system. The choice or definition of the system is up to us. It is
essential that at the start of any process analysis or problem solving procedure that
we have a clear idea of what we are defining as the system.

Input of M Output of M
SYSTEM

System Boundary
Figure 9. 1

Referring to the figure 9.1, we indicate the system to be analysed as a box. This box
could represent a single process or process step, for example a heat exchanger or a
chemical reactor, or even part of such a process. Conversely, the box could represent a
series of process steps, for example, an entire chemical plant. Balances are made
around the system i.e. balances are made with respect to the system. It is usually
convenient to identify the system by drawing a boundary line around it, as indicated by
the dashed line in Fig. 9.1. This helps to identify those streams which, if they cross the
boundary, enter or leave the system.

13
 Mass Balances

9.3 The Nature of Flowsheet

Before you can attempt to do any calculations you have to have some way of
representing the chemical plant on sheets of paper. One way is to draw a flowsheet.
There are actually several different kinds of flowsheet and at this stage, the simplest,
the block diagram is appropriate.

1 2 3 4

Figure 9.2

This figure uses squares or rectangles to represent sections of the plant. Each
section may be simple or complex.

9.4 Interpreting a block diagram

Let us consider the block diagram (system) shown below.

M4
M1 M5
Accumulation
MA
M2 M6

M3 Figure 9.3

The section of the plant has four different streams entering it, i.e. 4 input streams, but
only two streams leaving, i.e. 2 output streams. The input streams are combining in
some way and then leaving the unit via two separate pipes. It is obviously important
that all the inputs and outputs of mass with respect to the system are identified; if we
miss any component or stream, the balance will not be correct- it will not balance.

Remember mass balance is based on law of conservation of mass which states

that mass can be neither created nor destroyed. Using this law

For the above given system,

M1 + M2 + M3 + M4 - ( M5 + M6 ) = MA

i.e. ∑ INPUT MASS - ∑ OUTPUT MASS = ∑ ACCUMULATED MASS 9.1

or RATE OF INPUT - RATE OF OUTPUT = RATE OF ACCUMULATION

WhereM1 to M6 can be mass (kg) or mass flow rate (kg/s)

and MA is accumulated mass (kg) or rate of accumulation (kg/s).
MA can be positive (increase) or negative (decrease)
Equation 9.1 is an expression of the conservation of Mass and this statement will apply
to any quantity for which a conservation law holds.
14
 Mass Balances

Specifically for the case of material, or matter, it must be understood that atoms are
neither created nor destroyed, at least not in the chemical processes we consider.
Any balance, which depends on the concept of the conservation of atomic species, will
be valid.
It is important to realise that the mass of material, depends on the masses of the
atoms that make up the material, such a balance in terms of mass must be valid. This
balance holds even if chemical reactions take place- they cannot alter the relative
numbers of atoms present. It is often useful to write balances in terms of specific
atoms, atom balances. For example, suppose carbon is involved in some way in a
process. We can then write ( More details on atom balance given in section 22).

Input (of C atoms) — output (of C atoms) = Accumulation (of C atoms)

It is important to note that this balance applies even if chemical reactions take place;
Carbon atoms are neither created nor destroyed.

Example
When methane reacts with oxygen it forms carbon dioxide and water. Write a balanced
reaction equation.

CH4 CO2, H2O

O2
CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) CO2(g) + 2 H2O(g)
Mass 16 2 x 32 44 2 x 18

Total mass 80 80

Even though a reaction takes place mass in = mass out

Also
No. of C – atoms on LHS = No of C – atoms on RHS
No of H – atoms on LHS = No. of H – atoms on RHS
No of O – atoms on LHS = No. of O – atoms on RHS

9.5 Steady State Operations

In section 9.4 we wrote material balances in terms of the total mass and in terms of a
specific atomic species (carbon balance), and in both cases an accumulation term
was an important part of the balance. In practice, we often deal with systems or
processes that operate or are operated under steady-state conditions, and this leads
to simplification with respect to the accumulation term
.
A steady-state operation is one in which conditions within the process or system do
not change with time, that is, from one moment to another. This does not imply that
conditions (for example, temperature, pressure, concentration) are necessarily the same
from one point to another within the system, but that at any given point they do not
change with time.
At steady state, there can be no accumulation (i.e. MA = 0)

∴ INPUT = OUTPUT

15
 Mass Balances

i.e. M1 + M2 + M3 + M4 = M5 + M6

10. Systems Without Chemical Reactions

Case 1:
Think of the block representing a beaker in a laboratory. Some water is put into it,
then some solid NaCl is added, then the beaker is shaken until the salt has dissolved
and the mixture is poured out.

Now think of a similar situation on a chemical plant. The beaker is now a large vessel.
Water is passed into the vessel by opening a valve in the inlet pipe and pumping it in.
After a time the valve is closed to stop the flow of water. Solid NaCl is then poured
into the vessel, through a hole in the top, and an agitator is switched on to mix in the
salt and help to dissolve. When all the salt has dissolved a valve in the outlet pipe is
opened. The salt solution flows out, either by gravity or with the aid of a pump.

This is an example of a batch process - each activity takes place in sequence. The
amount in the vessel changes with time from zero to the total amount of salt solution
and then back to zero. The rate of flow in each pipe also changes with time - we do
not know precisely how, except that for part of the time there is no flow in each pipe
and for part of the sequence there is flow.

Let us carry out what is called material balance or mass balance on system.

EXERCISE 10.1

2m3 water and 100 kg salt are put into a tank. (density of water is 1000 kg m-3)

(a) What is the mass water used?

(b) What is the total mass of salt and water?
(c) What is the mass of salt solution produced?
(d) What is the concentration of salt in salt solution?

Case 2:

Now think of the block representing a vessel which is already full of salt solution.
Water is being pumped into the vessel at a steady rate and salt is being metered in
continuously and constantly. A stirrer is mixing the vessel contents effectively.
Suppose the situation has been going on for quite a long time, so the concentration of
salt in tank is steady, i.e. a sample taken now and another taken in an hour would be
indistinguishable, having identical composition.

This is called the steady state. Since the vessel has a limited volume there must be
continuous flow of liquid (solution) out of it, maintaining a constant level in the tank.

16
 Mass Balances

EXERCISE 10.2

Water is fed into a tank continuously at a rate of 2m3/h. Salt is metered in

continuously at a rate of 100 kg/h. salt solution is produced by good mixing and is
removed continuously.
(a) What is the rate of mass input of water?
(b) What is the total rate of mass input of salt and water?
(c) What is the mass of salt solution produced?
(d) What is the concentration of salt in salt solution?

11 Defining a system -creating an envelope

On the block diagram (figure 11.1), as stated previously, each block can represent a
simple piece of equipment or a complex section. For some purposes we may wish to
combine blocks together. Suppose we label the streams around the first 2 blocks, as
shown below.
S4

S1 S3
S5
S2 Figure 11.1
At steady state we can say that

S1 + S2 = S3 for the first block

and S3 = S4 + S5 for the second block
so, eliminating S3
S1 + S2 = S4 + S5

The same 2 blocks and the same input and input streams are now drawn with a
dotted box around them, the dotted box or “envelope” representing a new system or
block.

S4

S1 S3 S5

S2 Figure 11.2

This new system has two inputs, S1 and S2 ; two outputs, S4 and S5. i.e. at steady
state,
S1 + S2 = S4 + S5, as derived in the previous section.

In considering this new system, S3 is neither an input nor an output, i.e. it does not
pass through the dotted box. It is therefore not an element in the mass balance for
the revised system.

We can continue drawing dotted boxes anywhere, defining new systems and every
time, total input must equal total output at steady state. Where we draw these boxes
or envelope requires a little skill which is only obtained by practice.

NOTE: A stream can not start or finish in mid- air inside an envelope.
17
 Mass Balances

An envelope that is usually well worth considering is the overall mass balance(OMB).

i.e. Total inputs into the System = Total outputs from it

Exercise 11.1

By considering all the possible envelope that could be drawn in the following system,
write down as many mass balance equations as possible.

M4 M7
M 1 M2 M6

M3 M5 M8 M9

Now do Tutorial B

12 Component Balances in Systems without Chemical Reactions

It is frequently necessary to consider the components of the stream involved in a

process. Useful in mixing, separation (distillation) and evaporation where no chemical
reactions take place. This is done in addition to the overall mass balance i.e. total
input and output.
M 1 y1 M3 y3
where y is the fraction
of a component

M 2 y2 M 4 y4
The principle we will be using is that the total mass of a component entering a system
should be equal to the total mass of the same component exiting the system.

Mass of any component in a stream is determined using the following equation:

Mass of a component in a stream =

Mass flow of the stream x fraction of the component in that stream

A component mass balance (abbreviated to CMB) for component y will give

M 1 * y1 + M 2 * y2 =M3 * y3 + M4 * y4 + MAyA
In general, at steady state = 0
n n

∑ M i yi = ∑M oYo
i =1 o =1
Where n = number of components, and subscripts i and o signifies input and
output, respectively.

NOTE: In a reacting system component balance CAN NOT be expressed in

volumetric basis( i.e moles), ONLY on a mass basis - hence MASS BALANCE.
Since the sum of these (i.e. several components) gives the OMB this overall
balance is not an independent equation. Hence, there are n independent
equations for each envelope. In practise it is usually most convenient to write
down the overall balance plus the balances for (n-1) components.

18
 Mass Balances

e.g. The previous salt solution problem (i.e. exercise 10.2 – page 17):

We can say RATE OF SALT INPUT = RATE OF SALT OUT PUT

This is valid even though the input salt is pure (i.e. 100%) and the output salt is
dissolved.

Carry out an OMB

100 + 2000 = M3
∴ M3 = 2100 1

Now carry out a CMB for salt

salt 100 * 1 + 2000 * 0 = M 3 * y3 2

Substituting for M3 in equation (2) given above

2100 * y3 = 100

y3 = 100 = 0.0476
2100
= 4.76 % w/w
Exercises 12.1 & 12.2

Assuming steady state, carry out material balance for NaCl, water and brine (salt
solution) over the system shown if:

1 2

3
12.1) Stream 1 contains 100 kg/h NaCl and 2000 kg/h water
Stream 2 contains 50 kg/h NaCl and 500 kg/h water.
Find the flow rates of salt solution, water and salt in stream 3

12.2) Stream 1 is 2000 kg/h brine, having a concentration of 5.1% w/w NaCl
Steam 2 is 600 kg/h brine, having a concentration of 3.8% w/w NaCl
Find the flow rate of stream 3 and the concentration of salt in stream 3.

13 Composition and Concentration

Exercise 12.2 used the concept of concentration (as did exercises 10.1 & 10.2). A
concentration of 4.76% w/w NaCl means that if you take a sample (of any size) and
analyse it, you will find that 4.76% of the mass of the sample is salt and 95.24% of
the mass is water. This seems very simple at this stage but it is vital that you
remember it in more complex situations. When the concentration of every component
in a mixture is known, we can refer to the composition of the mixture. For example,
in figure 13.1, the composition of stream A is 12% w/w phenol, 88% w/w water. The
concentration of phenol in stream A is 12% by weight.

It does NOT mean that 12% of the phenol input goes into stream A

EXERCISE 13.1
19
 Mass Balances

A
phenol 100 kg phenol = 12 % w/w
water = 88 % w/w

water 100 kg
B
phenol = 62 % w/w
water = 38 % w/w
Figure 13.1
Note: concentration of phenol and water in products does not add up to 100.

14 Approach to Mass Balances

1) Draw a block (flow) diagram.

2) Add all available information on this diagram.
3) Select a suitable basis. Usually choose a stream for which a lot of data are
known.
4) Write balanced chemical reaction(s), if any.
5) Draw an envelope around the system on which you are doing the balance.
6) Construct an input-output table in which you identify and tabulate all the
incoming and outgoing materials. This step is the beginning of a statement
of all the materials that interact with the system and is an absolutely
essential step.
7) Make an overall balance (OMB), and make a component balance (CMB) if
there are no chemical reactions.
8) Make neat calculations, with headings. Tabulate your results if this makes the
presentation easier.
9) Give references for data used in the problem (it may help you later if values
need checking, but in any case it is good practise).
10) State assumptions made.
11) Make the answer stand out by underlining or by leaving a space after it.
12) Check the answer is sensible and possibly for accuracy by an independent
method.

EXAMPLE 14.1
Find the flow rate of all the product streams for the system given below.

% w/w
A 99.2
B 0.8
C 0

100 kg/h
1 2
% w/w
A 35
B 45
20
 Mass Balances

C 20

% w/w % w/w
A 0 A 1.0
B 0.5 B 99.0
C 99.5 C 0.0

15 Basis and Scaling

In exercise 14.1 the feed was given as 100 kg/h and all the other flow rates were
calculated. Suppose the problem was to find the flow rate of feed that produces 850
kg/h of distillate from column 2 or the feed rate that produces 684 kg/h of B in the
bottoms from column 2.

The best way in either case is to perform the calculations exactly as already done and
then scale up or down all the numbers in the same ratio to give the desired value. The
concentrations all remain unchanged. If the scaling is going to take place it does not
really matter whether the initial feed rate is taken to be 100 units (in this case kg/h) or
1 unit or any other number. A value of 0.8 units could be used for the feed rate and the
answer would be found equally correctly, but the first step would require additional
calculations to find the flow rates of each component in the feed. It is usually best to
start with 100 units for convenience, but not always - there will be special cases later
on.

Choosing a starting point is called CHOOSING THE BASIS for the calculation.

Always write down the basis.

In general, basis should be based on the stream which
has more information available compared to the other
streams. Depending on the information available some
times a product stream can also be taken as a basis.

21
 Mass Balances

Exercise 15.1

What proportion of the carbon dioxide in the feed gas is absorbed into the liquid in the
system shown, when the concentration in the gas stream is reduced from 21% w/w to
0.3% w/w.

stripped gas absorbent liquid ( MEA solution)

CO2 0.3 % w/w

feed gas MEA solution

CO2 21% w/w

Exercise 15.2

The MEA solution used in exercise 15.1 is regenerated by using steam (heat) and a
reduction in pressure. This releases the CO2 and the solution can be recycled. The
CO2 is removed from the top of the regenerator, together with water vapour. In the
system shown below, the feed gas flow rate is 2500 kg/h. How much CO2 is taken from
the top of the regenerator?

MEA solution CO2, H2O

Stripped gas
CO2 0.3 % w/w

feed gas 2500 kg/h

H2O vapour + Heat
CO2 21 % w/w

Absorber Regenerator

22
 Mass Balances

16 BALANCED EQUATIONS (STOICHIOMETRY) and Moles

Chemical equations provide us with information about reactants and products. Using
symbols for elements and formulae for compounds equations can be written for
chemical reactions. Reactants are put on the left hand side of the equation and the
products on the right side of the equation with an arrow in between them. As well as
showing the nature of the reactants and products, it tells us the mole proportion of
each species used up and produced. For example, the balanced (stoichoimetric)
equation:
2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2 SO3 (g)

indicates that two moles of SO2 react with one mole of O2 to produce 2 moles of SO3.
The numbers in front of each species are the stoichiometric coefficients. The
above balanced equations tell us about STOICHIOMETRIC RATIOS

In a balanced equation the number of atoms of each species must be the same on
both sides of the equation. Remember atoms cannot be neither created nor
destroyed. This law is generally known as conservation of mass.

Rules for writing chemical reactions

1. Write the correct formula for all the substances in reaction equation (small
numbers as subscripts to indicate the number of atoms of a species in a
compound)
a) for elements use the symbol from the periodic table except
H2 ,N2, O2 , F2, Cl2, Br2, I2
b) for compounds use valencies
c) give the state (s, l, g, aq ) of the substances.

2. Balance the equation for each type of atom. (using large numbers in front of
the formulae). Make sure you do not change any formulae.

e.g. H2 (g) + O2 (g) H2O (l)

Here the left hand side of the equation has two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen
atoms, whereas the right hand side of the equation has two hydrogen atoms and one
oxygen atom. This violates the law of conservation of atoms (mass). By putting
suitable numbers in front of the species, the equation can be balanced to give:

2 H2 (g) + O2 (g) 2 H2O(l)

or
1
H2(g) + O2 (g) H2O(l) this equation is also valid.
2
1
The fraction can be inserted in front of di-atomic molecules such as H2, O2, N2, Cl2,
2
F2, I2 and Br2 only, to balance the equation.

Never try to change the formula of a compound such as H2SO4, Na2SO4,

HNO3 when balancing the equations. You can only put numbers in
front of them
e.g. Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

23
 Mass Balances

On the above reaction solid zinc reacts with a solution of sulphuric acid to give a
solution of zinc sulphate and hydrogen gas. Hydrogen is written as H2, since each
molecule of hydrogen has two atoms.

e.g. Na2CO3(s) +2 HCl(aq) CO2(g) + 2 NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

The equation for the action of heat on sodium hydrogen carbonate. This is called a
decomposition reaction.
heat
2NaHCO3(s) Na2CO3(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(g)

The above equation tells us that 2 moles of NaHCO3 give 1 mole of Na2CO3, 1 mole of
CO2 and 1 mole of water.

The chemical equation provides necessary information essential to complete a mass

balance for the given reaction.

e.g. CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O --------(1)

C2H6 + 7O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O ---------(2)

2

First of all make sure the reaction equation is balanced. i.e. the number of atoms on
LHS should be equal to the number of atoms on RHS.

As previously stated in section 5, the formula weight of a chemical expressed in grams

is called a mole, abbreviated to mol. If the mass is expressed in kg it is called kmol.
Remember that in carrying out mass balances you can balance mass, BUT NOT
MOLES. Inspect the above two reactions. In reaction 1 number of moles in reactants is
equal to number of moles in the products. However, in the second reaction 4 ½ moles
are reacting to produce 5 moles. You can also carry out atom balance. Kmol are much
more convenient quantities than mol in chemical engineering. Chemists tend to use
mol.

e.g. 1.0 kmol CO = 28 kg

1.0 kmol H2O = 18 kg
3.0 kmol H2S = 3 * 34 = 102 kg

In reacting systems it is easier to work with moles If the selected basis is mass,
first convert mass into moles by dividing mass by RMM (refer to section 5). Once you
have calculated the number of moles of products by using the stoichiometric ratios,
you may convert moles of product to a mass.

NOTE: Mass & atoms are not destroyed, but moles can be created or
destroyed as atoms recombine.

24
 Mass Balances

In a reacting system, if you know the quantity of a component the quantity of other
reactants and the products can be found by knowing the stoichiometric ratios of the
species involved in the reaction.

Coefficient of the unknown species

Stoichiometric ratio =
Coefficient of the known species

Exercise 16.1

C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O

a) How much CO2 is formed if 5.5 kg of propane reacts?

b) How much water is produced when 250 kg of carbon dioxide is produced?
c) How much propane is required to produce 100 kg carbon dioxide?
d) How many kmol of propane will produce 15 kmol of CO2?
e) How many kmol of water are produced when 10 kmol of propane reacts?

17 Mol % and Vol %

In many calculations it is much more convenient to work in mol% and kmol than in
any other units. It is useful to remember that for any gaseous system at low pressure,
where the ideal gas law can be assumed to apply, the composition in vol % is the
same as the composition in mol %. Refer to section 7.5.

18 Limiting Reactants and Excess Reactants.

If the reactants are made available in quantities proportional to those indicated in the
chemical equation, these reactants are said to be available in stoichiometric
quantities. Thus the amount of a reactant theoretically required for complete
conversion of other reactants is called the stoichiometric quantity (refer to section 16).

In most industrial processes the quantities of reactants supplied are usually not in the
exact proportions demanded by the reaction equation. It is generally desirable that
some of the reacting materials be present in excess of the amounts theoretically
required for combination with others. Therefore, limiting reactant is the reactant that
is present in the smallest stoichiometric amount.

Under such conditions the products obtained will contain some of the unreacted
reactants. The quantities of the desired compounds formed in the reaction will be
determined by the quantity of the limiting reactants. Other reactants are called
excess reactants simply because they are supplied in excess of the stoichiometric
amount.

E.G.
N2 + 3 H2 2 NH3

In the above reaction if 2 kmol of N2 is reacted with 6 kmol of H2, the reactants are in
stoichiometric proportion and there is no limiting reactant or excess reactant.

Example
25
 Mass Balances

SO2 Burner
1 kmol SO3
O2 O2
1.25 kmol

SO2 + 1 O2 → SO3

2

From the above balanced equation it can be seen that the amount of oxygen required
for complete combustion of 1 kmol of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide is 0.5 kmol,
but the amount supplied is 1.25 kmol. Therefore there is an excess of O 2 above the
stoichiometric requirement. The product SO3 is governed entirely by the amount of
SO2, which is called the LIMITING reactant. As O2 in feed is above the stoichiometric
requirement, it is the EXCESS reactant.

SO2 reacted = 1.0 kmol

O2 reacted(required) = 1 x stiochiometric ratio = 1 x 0.5 = 0.5 kmol
SO3 formed = 1.0 x stoichiometric ratio = 1 x 1 = 1 kmol
O2 unreacted = in – reacted =1.25 – 0.5 = 0.75 kmol

Percent excess is defined as

mole % excess = input – required* X 100

required*

* Required = amount required for 100 % completion of the reaction. ( see next
section)

mol % excess O2 = 1.25 - 0.5 x 100 = 150 %

0.5

19 Degree of Completion or Conversion (incomplete reaction)

Even though some of the reactants required for the manufacture of a chemical may
be present in excess there is no guarantee that the limiting reactant will undergo
complete reaction. Such partial completion may result from the establishment of an
equilibrium in the reacting mass or from insufficient time or opportunity for
completion.

The degree of completion of a reaction is generally expressed as the percentage

of the limiting reactant, which is converted or decomposed into other products.

26
 Mass Balances

Example
If 2 kmol of CO2 is reacted with 5 kmol of NH3 in the production of urea and the
conversion is 80 mol%, determine the excess reactant, percentage excess, limiting
reactant and the composition of the product.

Step 1 Draw the block diagram and write down all the information.

2 kmol CO2 80 % conversion

urea
CO2
5 kmol NH3 NH3

Step 2 Select a suitable basis

Basis: 2 kmol of CO2 (we could also select NH3 as our basis- will give the
same answer)

Step 3 Write a balanced reaction equation

CO2 + 2 NH3 NH2COONH4 (urea)

Stoichiometric ratio of NH3/CO2 = 2/1 =2

Step 4 Now you can start the calculation.

solution
As per stoichiometry, amount of NH3 needed to react with 2 kmol of CO2
= 2 x stoichiometric ratio
=2x2 = 4 kmol

As there are 5 kmol of NH3, the excess reactant is NH3 and the limiting reactant is
CO2.

In – required 5-4
% Excess NH3 = x 100 = x 100 = 25 %
Required 4

As the limiting reactant is CO2, the conversion is based on CO2. (only 80 %

converted)
Amount of CO2 converted = 2 X 0.8 = 1.6 kmol

From this step onwards the amount of CO2 reacted ( limiting reactant) forms
the basis for rest of the calculation.

Unreacted CO2 = in - reacted = 2 – 1.6 = 0.4 kmol

Amount of urea formed = CO2 reacted x ratio = 1.6 x 1 = 1.6 kmol
(based on the amount of limiting reactant reacted)

Amount of NH3 consumed = amount of CO2 reacted x stoichiometric ratio

= 1.6 x 2 = 3.2 kmol

Unreacted NH3 = in – reacted = 5 – 3.2 = 1.8 Kmol

27
 Mass Balances

Final Step List the composition in a tabular format

Composition of Products
Component Kmol Mol%
CO2 0.4 10.53
NH3 1.8 47.37
NH2COONH4 1.6 42.10
Total 3.8 100.0

Example.
In a burner 5 kmol SO2 was burned with 75% excess oxygen, but the reaction is only
80% complete. Determine the product composition

Order of calculation

SO2
5 kmol Burner 80% SO3
completion SO2
O2 O2
75% excess

Basis: 5 kmol SO2 in the inlet ( 1 + excess /100)

SO2 + 0.5O2 → SO3

Theoretical oxygen requirement = 5 x ratio= 5 x 0.5 = 2.5 kmol

But excess is 75%
∴ Actual O2 in feed = 2.5( 1 + (75/100)) = 4.375 kmol
Conversion is 80%
∴ Amount of SO2 reacted= in x % conversion = 5 * 0.8 = 4.0 kmol

Amount of unreacted SO2 = in – reacted = 5 – 4 = 1 kmol

Amount of SO3 formed (based on SO2 reacted) = 4.0 x 1(ratio) = 4 kmol

Amount of O2 consumed (SO2:O2 = 1: 0.5) = 4 * 0.5(ratio) = 2.0 kmol

Amount of unreacted O2 in exit stream = in – reacted = 4.375 – 2.0 = 2.375 kmol

Component Reactants, Products, product gas

kmol kmol composition ,
% v/v
SO2 5.0 1.0 13.56
SO3 - 4.0 54.24
O2 4.375 2.375 32.20
Total 9.375 7.375 100.00

28
 Mass Balances

Check the atom balance i.e. S and O

INPUT OUTPUT
Component Kmol S O kmol S O
SO2 5.0 5 5.0 * 2= 10.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 * 2= 2.0
SO3 - - - 4.0 4.0 4.0 * 3= 12.0
O2 4.375 - 4.375*2= 8.75 2.375 - 2.375 * 2= 4.75
Total 5.0 18.75 5.0 18.75

Atom balance is the ultimate check to verify whether the solution is correct or not. Atom
balance is not strictly balancing mass between the inlet and outlet, but it is exactly
equivalent. It is better described as a material balance, but the distinction is not
normally considered important. It is a balance on the atomic species present. When
substances are unaffected by reaction, the balance could be in kmol units, but
you really do need to be sure that there is no reaction ( an atom balance example
is given later on).

29
 Mass Balances

Example
150 kg/s of ethane (C2H6) was burned in 60 % excess air. Due to burner inefficiency only
90% of the ethane was combusted, and of this 95% of ethane was converted to carbon
dioxide and the balance to carbon monoxide. Determine the composition of the product
stream.

Solution

Step 1 Draw the diagram and write down all the available information.

Ethane 150kg/s 90%9conversion 90 5

95 % of 90% CO2
5 % of 90 % CO C2H6
Air, 60 % excess O2
N2
CO2
CO
H2O

As only 90 % of C2H6 reacts, there should be unreacted C2H6 in the product stream.

As part of reacting C2H6 is converted to CO2 and part to CO, there should be CO2 & CO in
the product stream.

Water is a combustion product and therefore should be in the product stream.

Air feed is in excess, therefore, excess O2 and N2(comes out unreacted) should be in the
product stream

Step 2 Select a suitable basis

Basis: 150 kg/s ethane in feed

Step 3 Write balanced reaction equations

There are two separate reactions taking place: one producing CO2 and another
producing CO.

R1 C2H6 + 7/2 O2 2 CO2 + 3 H2O

R2 C2H6 + 5/2 O2 2 CO + 3 H2O

Step 4 Check the units and convert, if necessary

It is easier to work with mols than mass(kg), therefore convert given mass to moles.

Number of moles of ethane = mass/ RMM = 150/30 = 5 kmols

Now we are in a position to do serious calculations!

30
 Mass Balances

In these types of combustion reactions, start with the known reactant (i.e. C2H6) and then
calculate the air feed from the given information. Next step is to use the given reaction
details ( i.e. information inside the box) and systematically work through the problem.

Step 4 Determine the quantity of air feed

Remember excess air calculation is always based on complete combustion unless
otherwise stated.

Theoretical O2 required to burn ethane = moles of C2H6 x coefficient ratio

Coefficient of unknown component

Note : coefficient ratio =
Coefficient of known component

Coefficient ratio = moles of O2/ moles of C2H8 = 3.5/1 = 3.5

First calculate the theoretical O2 and then the actual O2 using the excess value.

∴ Theoretical O2 = 5 x 3.5 = 17.5 kmol/s

But excess = 60%

∴Actual O2 in air feed = 17.5 (1 + 60/100) = 28 kmol/s

Nitrogen in air feed (N2:O2 = 79:21 v/v) = 28 x (79/21 ) = 105.33 kmol/s

Step 5 Determine the amount of C2H6 reacted (& unreacted)

Amount of ethane reacted = moles of C2H6 in feed x % conversion

= 5 x 0.9 = 4.5 kmol/s

NOTE: Now this reacted C2H6 forms the basis for rest of the calculation.

Unreacted C2H6 = in – reacted = 5 – 4.5 = 0.5 kmol/s

Step 6 Determine the reactants and products involved in R1

Reaction 1 ( 95% of reacted ethane) – work from left to right

Amount of ethane reacted = 4.5 x 0.95 = 4.275 kmol/s

Now this 4.275 kmol/s forms the basis for rest of the calculation for reaction 1

Amount of oxygen reacted = 4.275 x coefficient Ratio = 4.275 x 7/2

= 14.963 kmol/s
Amount of CO2 produced = 4.275 x coefficient Ratio = 4.275 x 2
= 8.55 kmol/s
Amount of H2O produced = 4.275 x coefficient ratio = 4.275 x 3
= 12.825 kmol/s

Step 7 Having finished with R1, now calculate the reactants and products involved in R2

Reaction 2 (5% of reacted ethane) As for R1, work from left to right
Amount of ethane reacted = 4.5 x 0.05 = 0.225 kmol/s
31
 Mass Balances

NOTE: Now this 0.225 kmol/s forms the basis for rest of the calculation for reaction 2

Amount of oxygen consumed = 0.225 x coefficient ratio = 0.225 x 5/2

= 0.563 kmol/s
Amount of CO formed = 0.225 x coefficient ratio = 0.225 x 2
= 0.45 kmol/s
Amount of H2O formed = 0.225 x coefficient ratio = 0.225 x 3
= 0.0.675 kmol/s

Step 8 calculate O2, H2O in product gas

Oxygen is consumed in reactions 1 & 2

∴Unreacted O2 = in – R1 –R2 = 28 – 14.963 – 0.563

= 12.474 kmol/s
H2O is produced in R1 & R2

∴Total H2O in product stream = R1 + R2 = 12.825 + 0.675

= 13.5 kmol/s
N 2 is a tie substance, therefore N2 in = N2 out = 105.33 kmol/s

Step 9 Tabulate your results

Component Kmol/s Mol %
C2H6 0.5 0.36
O2 12.474 8.86
N2 105.33 74.81
CO2 8.55 6.07
CO 0.45 0.32
H2O 13.5 9.59
Total 140.804 100.01

Step 10 CHECK: As mass in = mass out, you can check your answer.

Component RMM In, kmol/s In, kg Out, kmol/s Out, kg

C2H6 30 5.0 150.0 0.5 15.0
O2 32 28.0 896.0 12.474 399.168
N2 28 105.33 2949.24 105.33 2949.24
CO2 44 8.55 376.20
CO 28 0.45 12.60
H2O 18 13.5 243.00
Total 3995.24 3995.208

Mass in = mass out , therefore the answer is correct

20 Conversion, Yield and Selectivity

In most chemical processes several chemical reactions takes place simultaneously

resulting in unwanted products (by-products) in addition to the desired product.
Undesired products are also formed when the desired product reacts with one or
32
 Mass Balances

more of the reactants. Undesired products cause loss in profit by chemical plants
and, therefore, it is necessary to maximise the desired products and minimise the
undesired products by controlling the reaction conditions.

The terms ”yield & selectivity” are terms that measures the degree to which a desired
reaction proceeds relative to competing undesired reactions.

To understand the difference between conversion, yield and selectivity consider the
reaction between benzene and nitric acid in the production of nitrobenzene. The
reaction is:

C6H6 + HNO3 C6H5NO2 + H2O maximise this reaction

Unfortunately, in practice it is observed some of the nitrobenzene further reacts with

nitric acid to form dinitrobenzene as per the following reaction:

C6H5NO2 + HNO3 C6H4(NO2)2 + H2O minimise this reaction

This means that the final product will contain nitrobenzene as well as unwanted
dinitrobenzene in addition to water and unreacted benzene. The amount of
dinitrobenzene depends on the excess quantities of HNO3 in the initial reaction
mixture. As nitrobenzene is the desired product, the yield in this process will be
defined on the basis of the amount of nitrobenzene produced.

moles of nitrobenzene produced

% Yield = X 100
moles of benzene reacted

total moles of benzene reacted

% Conversion = X 100
moles of benzene in feed

moles of nitrobenzene
Selectivity of nitrobenzene =
moles of dinitrobenzene

E.G. Consider the following reaction

A B C where C is the undesired product

moles of A reacted
Conversion = X 100
moles of A in feed

moles of B produced
Yield = X 100
moles of A reacted

moles of B in product
Selectivity of B =
moles of C in product
33
 Mass Balances

Example
Consider 100 kmoles of C6H6 is charged into the nitrating reactor and after 2 hrs the
products were analysed and found to contain 8 kmoles of benzene and 8 kmoles of
dinitrobenzene. Calculate the conversion, yield, and selectivity of nitrobenzene.

Solution
100 kmole C6H6 Nitrating 8 kmoles C6H6
reactor 8 kmoles C6H4(NO2)2
HNO3 X kmoles C6H5NO2

The reaction equations are:

R1 C6H6 + HNO3 C6H5NO2 + H2O

R2 C6H5NO2 + HNO3 C6H4(NO2)2 + H2O

The amount of C6H6 reacted = 100 – 8 = 92 kmol

As 92 kmol of benzene reacted, the initial amount of C6H5NO2 formed is also 92 kmol.
(because C6H6 reacts via R1 only)
The amount of dinitrobenzene (given) ( from R2) = 8 kmol

∴Nitrobenzene reacted in R2 = 8 x ratio = 8 x 1 = 8 kmol

∴ amount of nitrobenzene in product stream

= nitrobenzene from R1 – nitrobenzene reacted in R2 =92 – 8 = 84 kmol

amount of C6H6 converted 92

% conversion= x 100 = x 100 = 92 %
C6H6 in feed 100

moles of C6H5NO2 84
% yield = x 100 = x 100 = 91.3
%
moles of C6H6 reacted 92

moles of C6H5NO2 84
selectivity = = = 10.5
moles of C6H4(NO2)2 8

21 Tie-Substances ( inerts)

A compound that goes directly from an input stream to an output stream without any
chemical change is called a tie-substance. It is normally very useful in solving
problems. It forms a “tie” between an input stream and an output stream.

e.g.
34
 Mass Balances

When oxygen is needed for a reaction to take place in most cases it is supplied in the
form of air. As air contains nitrogen ( we will ignore argon and CO 2 ), we must take
into consideration the associated nitrogen in air.

The composition of air can be taken as 79 mol% (vol%) N2 and 21 mol% O2

If the O2 input is 7.5 kmol, then N2 input = 7.5 * 79/21 = 28.2 kmol

Since the nitrogen does not react, the mass balance says that what went in should
come out. Therefore nitrogen output must also be 28.2 kmol.

Note: If you look again at exercises 15.1 & 15.2, everything (i.e. MEA etc.) other
than CO2 formed a composite tie-substance.

Exercise 21.1

A reactor produces a liquid and a waste gas stream. If the gas has the composition 8
mol% oxygen, 80 mol% nitrogen and 12 mol% carbon dioxide and the nitrogen input
to the reactor was in the form of air, calculate how much oxygen has been used in the
reactor per kmol air input.

22 Dry and wet basis

When a gas stream containing water vapour is cooled to a point where water begins
to condense out the remaining gas composition changes. For example, if the initial
composition is 95% air and 5% water and most of the water is removed, the
concentration of the water reduces and the concentration of the air rises, towards
100%. This can be a nuisance, especially if the condensation occurs in stages and a
new composition has to be calculated several times. A simple alternative way to
express the composition uses the concept of a dry basis. In this method, the water is
ignored in the main analysis, so as the water condenses, the dry basis composition
remains unchanged. The “dry gas” is simply that part of the mixture which is not water
vapour. It does NOT mean that there is no water present.

Example
Component wet basis dry basis
kmol mol% kmol mol%
Nitrogen 62 53.0 62 59.0
Carbon dioxide 24 20.5 24 22.9
Oxygen 19 16.2 19 18.1
Water vapour 12 10.3 - -
Total 117 100.0 105 100

Exercise 22.1

In the Deacon process for manufacturing chlorine, hydrochloric acid is oxidised with
air. The reaction taking place is :

4HCl(g) + O2(g) → 2 Cl2(g) + 2 H2O (g)

If the air used is 30% in excess of that theoretically required to completely oxidize
hydrochloric acid gas, and if the oxidation is 80% complete, calculate the composition
by volume of dry gases, leaving the reaction chamber.
35
 Mass Balances

23 Atom Balances

In some of the chemical processes (e.g. reactors) there is a range of components

entering and leaving the system. Even if we do not know the details of the chemical
reactions taking place within the unit it is still possible to do a balance around the unit
by carrying out atom balances. The atom balance is based on the concept of the
conservation of atomic species. That is atoms are neither created nor destroyed.
For example, consider methane gas is burned in a boiler to generate steam. The
reaction equation is:

CH4 (g) + 2 O2 (g) CO2 (g) + 2 H2O

(v)

Even though there is a chemical reaction taking place, the number of carbon atoms in
the feed stream (CH4) should be equal to the number of carbon atoms in the product
stream (CO2).
Similarly, the number of hydrogen atoms in feed (CH 4) should be equal to number of
hydrogen atoms in the product stream (H2O). Also the number of oxygen atoms in feed
should be equal to the number of oxygen atoms in the product stream. In the product
stream oxygen is present in both CO2 and H2O. Therefore, oxygen atoms of CO2 and
oxygen atoms of H2O should be added together to balance the oxygen atoms in the
feed stream.

i.e. Number of oxygen atoms in O2 = number of oxygen atoms in CO2 + number of

oxygen atoms in H2O

Atom balances can be carried out even if there is no chemical reaction taking
place.

36
 Mass Balances

ATOM BALANCE EXAMPLE

One of the processes commonly used to produce hydrogen for various refining and
petrochemical operations is to react methane rich natural with excess steam in the
presence of nickel catalyst. The dry gas composition of the product leaving the reformer is
given below:. As methane rich stream also contains ethane, several reactions are possible.
Find the molar ratio of methane and ethane in the feed stream.

Component Molar Percentage

CH4 4.6
C2H6 2.3
CO 18.6
CO2 4.6
H2 69.9

In Teesside there is an ammonia plant at Billingham .

For the production of NH3, nitrogen and hydrogen are needed.

Possible reactions are:

C2H6  C2H4 + H2 1

CH4 + H2O  CO + 3H2 2

CH4 + 2H2O  CO2 + 4H2 3
CO + H2O  CO2 + H2 4

Problem gives analysis of product gas on dry basis. This implies that, even if steam is
present in the gaseous product, it is not included in the analysis for the reason given in
section 22. In this example steam is present in the product gases.(note steam is also
supplied in excess)

Required to calculate ratio of CH4 and C2H6 on molar basis.

Let’s carry out recommended procedure

1) Draw flow diagram
2) Draw input/output table
3) Basis – 100 kmol of H2 rich dry product gas (most information is available).
4) Write balanced (stoichiometry) reaction equations ( given above).

Since there is no C2H4 in the product stream we could eliminate equation 1 from our
calculation.
Now the problem is
(i) To what extent does each of the other reactions take place?

(ii) How much from equation 2, equation 3 and equation 4?

(iii) Do all 3 reactions take place?

Now the big question is If we can’t write equations and do not know the extend of
reactions, what can we balance?

Remember kmols do not necessarily balance, but mass and atoms do balance.

37
 Mass Balances

Mass of kg of element = K atoms

RAM

For steady state.

Mass of all elements = K atoms in = K atoms out (Avagadro’s number is omitted in the atom
balance because the factor 6.022 x 1023 will always appear on both sides of the balance and
cancel out)

So we can balance atoms.

Atom Balance Solution

CH4 M
Product gas
C2H6 E FURNACE
dry basis composition
Mol%
CH4 4.6
C2H6 2.3
CO 18.6
Steam S+W
CO2 4.6
H2 69.9
H2O W kmol
Basis: 100 kmol of dry product gas.

In steam reforming reactions carbon to steam ratio in the feed is about 3 to prevent carbon
deposition on the catalyst – this reduces the activity of the catalysts. Since steam is the
excess reactant a portion of steam in the feed will exit the reformer unreacted. This excess
steam will not be considered in the calculation.

The normal method of writing equation does not work! So what do we do?

In the feed streams let CH4 = M kmol

C2H6 = E kmol
Reacted steam = S kmol
Unreacted steam = W kmol

Now construct the input/output atom balance table as shown below.

INPUT OUTPUT
K mol H C atom O atom K mol H atom C atom O atom
atom
CH4 M 4xM 1xM - 4.6 4 x 4.6 1 x 4.6 -
C2H6 E 6xE 2xE - 2.3 6 x 2.3 2 x 2.3
CO 18.6 1 x 18.6 1 x 18.6
CO2 4.6 1 x 4.6 2 x 4.6
H2 69.9 2 x 69.9
Reacted S 2xS 1xS
steam(H2O)
Unreacted W W
steam
There are four unknowns : M,E, S and W. But we have only three elements: C, H and O.
As W does not react( W in = W out), we could eliminate this.
Now we are left with three unknowns (i.e. M, E & S) and three elements(i.e. C,H,& O).

38
 Mass Balances

C – atom balance

INPUT = OUTPUT

M + 2E = 4.6 + 2 x 2.3 + 18.6 + 4.6

M + 2E = 32.4
M = (32.4 – 2E) 1

H – atom balance (only consider H2O which reacted )

4M + 6E + 2S = 4 x 4.6 + 6 x 2.3 + 2 x 69.9

4M + 6E + 2S = 172 2

O – atom balance

Oxygen in CO and CO2 could have come only from reacted steam, because there is no
oxygen in CH4 and C2H6.
H2O is also in the output, but not reported because composition is given in dry basis.
Also this water is the unreacted steam ( ie. W in = W out).

S = 18.6 + 2 x 4.6
S = 27.8 kmol/ 100 kmol of dry product gases 3

Substituting for S in equation (2)

4M + 6E + 2 x 27.8 = 172 4

Now substituting for M in equation 4

4(32.4 – 2E) + 6E + 2 x 27.8 = 172

129.6 – 8E + 6E + 55.6 = 172

-2E = 172 – 55.6 – 129.6

-2E = -13.2
E = 13.2/2 = 6.6 kmol/ 100 kmolof dry product gases

Substituting for E in equation (1)

M = 32.4 – 2 x 6.6
M = 19.2 kmol/100kmol of dry product gases

Therefore, ratio of CH4:C2H6 = M = 19.2 = 2.91

E 6.6
Always try normal mol balance first. If it does not work then try atom balance. Atom
balance will always work, but may take longer to solve.

39
 Mass Balances

Summary of atom balance

If the extent of stoichiometry cannot be determined, consider atom balance.
Suppose now that the example asked for the number of kg of steam that react per 1000 m 3
of natural gas. We could choose a basis of 100 kmol of product gases, and the calculation
procedure will be exactly the same as above to obtain M,E and S in kmols.

First find out the number of kmols in 1000 m3 of feed gas( 1 kmol of any gas = 22.4 m3)

Number of moles in 1000 m3 of gas = 1000/22.4 = 44.64 kmols of feed gas

Total mols of feed gas from our earlier calculation is = 19.2 + 6.6 = 25.8 kmols

This amount of hydrocarbon gases required 27. 8 kmol of steam

Now scale up to find the amount of steam required to react with 44.64 kmols of
hydrocarbon gases.
27.8
Amount of steam required = 44.64 x = 48.10 kmols
25.8
∴ Mass of required steam = 48.10 x 18 = 865.8 kg/ 1000 m3 of feed gas.

40