Homework problems Catalysis and Catalytic Processing week 1

1. The equilibrium conversion in the propane dehydrogenation at 800 K and

1 bar with a feed of pure propane is limited to 16.0%. Currently you are
achieving in your process a conversion of 15.0% of propane in your
process. You and your fellow engineers are discussing the following
options to increase the throughput of the process:
a. Buy a more active catalyst
b. Add steam to the feed to decrease the partial pressure of propane
at the inlet to 0.5 bar
c. Add CO2 to the feed to decrease the partial pressure of propane at
the inlet to 0.5 bar.
Discuss the three options to improve the overall plant performance.
Data:
Compou
nd

DGf

DHf

(298

Cp, J/(mol K)

K)

(298 K)

kJ/mol

kJ/mol

102.b

Propane

-24.39

104.68

4.042

Propene

62.15

19.71

3.151

Hydroge
n

Steam

-228.6

-241.8

CO2(g)

-394.4

-393.5

CO(g)

-137.3

-110.5

30.45
6
23.81
2
0.192
0.004
9
6.448
3
0.512

29.08
8
32.43
3
21.88
4
29.39
4

105.c

109.d

-15.711

31.716

-12.176

24.603

0.4

-0.87

1.3534

4.7492

-4.427

12.028

1.5383

6.4604

2. The rate of catalytic reactions is sometimes expressed per unit active sites
(this is often denoted as the turn-over frequency). Discuss an advantage
and a disadvantage of expressing the rate of reaction per unit active sites.
3. The catalytic hydrogenation of acetylene is typically catalysed by Pt/C at
ca. 80oC and atmospheric pressure. This process yields a by-product, socalled green oil which is a mixture of oligomers of acetylene units. This
green oil does not have a value. It has been suggested to convert this
back into acetylene. What catalyst are you going to propose? What
conditions need to be explored to convert green oil back into acetylene?
4. We tried to estimate the metal surface area of a catalyst containing 20
wt.-% Pt using CO-chemisorption. The following data were recorded
p,
Vads,
mm
cm3(ST
Hg
P)/g
11
6.44

26
50
100

6.61
6.76
6.95

a. Determine the fraction of platinum atoms which are on the surface

(dispersion) using the Langmuir isotherm
b. Criticise the use of the Langmuir isotherm
5. The ammonia synthesis is thought to proceed via the following
elementary reactions steps:
H2 + 2* 2H*
(1)
N2 + * N2*
(2)
N2* +* 2N*
(3)
N* +H* NH* + *
(4)
NH* +H* NH2* + *
(5)
NH2* +H* NH3*+ *
(6)
NH3* NH3+ * (7)
It is believed that reaction (3) is the rate determining step.
(a) Derive a rate expression for the ammonia synthesis
(b) Show schematically how the rate of reaction proceeds as a function of
reaction pressure