ChE 201 ChE Fundamentals Case Study 5 Cumene Production 11-16-12 Cumene (MW = 120.

0.19), used as an intermediary for a number of chemicals, is produced through the reaction of benzene (MW=78.11) and propylene (MW = 42.08) as shown below.
H3C CH3

H2C

CH3

The reaction occurs at 300 C and at 30 atmabs. A schematic of the process is shown in Figure 1.
Propylene

Heat Exchanger Pump Benzene P=1.5 atm T=20. C P=30. atm T=20. C

Steam P=10. bar T=500. C

Reactor

Product

P=30 atm T=300 C Condensate Saturated P=10. bar

Figure 1 Benzene, which is available from a storage drum, is initially at 1.5 atmabs and 20 C. It is first compressed to 30 atmabs in a pump, and then fed into a heat exchanger where it is heated to 300. C. The benzene is then fed into the reactor with propylene in a stoichiometric ratio. The process, which operates at a 95% overall conversion, produces cumene at a rate of 350. g/sec. a) What is the flow rate of benzene (in kg/sec) into the reactor? b) The fluid velocity entering the pump is 0.50 m/sec while the velocity exiting the pump 0.75 m/s and the pump operates at an efficiency of 65%. Determine the minimum power requirement (in hp) of the pump. c) What phase is the benzene when it exits the heat exchanger? Prove it. d) What is the minimum duty (in kW) of the heat exchanger? e) How much steam (in kg/sec) is required in the heat exchanger?

Solution