Names: __________________________ CHE112P Quiz 1 :_________

Sec: _____ Extent of Reaction, Atomic and Molecular Balance

1. Pure calcium carbonate is decomposed using methane gas as a fuel and air for combustion of
fuel, producing a gas with an analysis of 26.5 % CO2, 5.0 % O2, and 68.5 % N2.
The reaction involved are as follows:
Combustion of methane
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O
Decomposition of calcium carbonate
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
Calculate the moles of each substances fed to the reactor using the following method
a.1 Extent of reaction
a.2 Atomic balance

air (79 % N2, 21 % O2)

Reactor

CaCO3 26.5 % (n) CO2

CH4 5.0 % O2 Analysis
68.5 % N2

CaO H2O ( not reported in analysis)

Basis: 100 moles of dry reactor gases

nCO2 = 26.5 mol

nO2 = 5.0 mol
nN2 = 68.5 mol

CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O

CaCO3 CaO + CO2

Using extent of reaction

nCO2 = 1 + 2 : 2 = 26.5 - 6.6 = 19.9

nO2 = nO2 i - 21 : nO2 i = 68.5 (21/79) = 18.21 : 1 = 6.6
nH2O = 21

nCaO = : nCaO = 19.9 mol

nCH4 = nCH4 I 1 : nCH4 i = 6.6 mol

nair = 68.5 (100/0.79) = 86.71

 Using atomic balance

Y, air (79 % N2, 21 % O2)

Reactor

X,CaCO3 26.5 % (n) CO2

Z, CH4 5.0 % O2 Analysis
68.5 % N2

CaO H2O ( not reported in analysis)

N balance

(0.79) Y (2) = 68.5 (2)

Y = 86.71 mol

C balance

X + Z = 26.5

O balance

3X + 0.21(86.71)(2) = X + 26.5(2) + 5 (2) Z(2)

X - 13.29 = Z

Z = 6.60

X = 19.9 mol

2. Methane and oxygen reacts in the presence of catalyst to form formaldehyde:

CH4 + O2 HCHO + H2O
In a parallel side reaction some of the methane is instead oxidized to carbon dioxide and water
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2H2O
The reactor output streams contains 45 mol % formaldehyde, 1 % carbon dioxide, 4 % methane
and the balance oxygen and water.

Calculate:
a. percentage conversion of methane
b. the fractional yield of formaldehyde,
c. selectivity of formaldehyde production relative to carbon dioxide production.
 O2

CH4 45 % (n) HCHO

1 % CO2
Reactor 4 % CH4
O2 50 %
H2O
Basis: 100 moles of Product Gas
nHCHO = 45 mol
nCO2 = 1 mol
nCH4 = 4 mol

Using extent of reaction

CH4 + O2 HCHO + H2O
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2H2O

nHCHO = 1 : 1 = 45
nCO2 = 2 : 2 = 1
nCH4 = nCH4 i - 1 - 2 : nCH4 i = 4 + 45 + 1 = 50 mol
nO2 = nO2 i - 1 - 22 :
nH2O = 1 + 22 : nH2O = 45 + 2(1) = 47 mol

nO2 + nH2O = 50 mol

nO2 = 50 47 = 3 mol

nO2 i = 3 + 45 + 2(1) = 50 mol

Using atomic balances

Y = O2

X = CH4 45 % (n) HCHO

1 % CO2
Reactor 4 % CH4
Z = O2 50 %
50 Z = H2O
C balance

X + 45 + 1 + 4 = 50
H balance

50(4) = 45(2) + 4(4) + (50 Z)(2)

Z = 3 mol
O balance
2Y = 45 + 1(2) + 3(2) + 50 - 3
Y = 50 mol

a. percentage conversion of methane

% Conversion CH4 = (CH4 used / CH4 feed ) x 100

= [ (50 - 4 ) / 50 ] x 100 = 92 %
b. the fractional yield of formaldehyde,

f HCHO = HCHO in product / Theo HCHO

= 45 / 50 = 0.9

c. selectivity of formaldehyde production relative to carbon dioxide production.

= 45/1 = 45