Roll No.

Thapar University, Patiala

Department-of Chemical Engineering
B.E. ChE (V Semester) ESE UCH501: Chemical Reaction Engineering - I
December 2015 (07/12/2015) Instructor: Dr. Vijaya Kumar Bulasara
Duration: 3 hours (2:00-5:00 p.m.) Max. Marks: 100
Instructions:
1. Write your roll number at the top of the question paper.
2. No queries are entertained during the examination.
3. Any missing data may reasonably be assumed.

Answer all questions in the given sequence.

1) Experiment shows that the homogeneous decomposition of ozone ( 203 -> 302 ) at low
concentration of 03 proceeds with a rate -ro, = k[03 ]2[02 ]-1 . Suggest a two-step
mechanism to explain this rate. (5)
2) Apply integral method of analysis for an elementary series-reaction A k R 4(2_4 s

k1 k2, and CRO = CSO = 0. Find the maximum concentration of R (CR,max) and when is it
reached (4,0- (15)
3) (a) Enzyme E catalyzes the transformation of reactant A to product R as follows:
A enzyme 200C
200+C A C E°
so
> R , rA = mol/L.min. If we introduce enzyme (CEO = 0.001
2
mol/L) and reactant (CAO = 10 mol/L) into a batch reactor and let the reaction proceed,
find the time needed for the concentration of reactant to drop to 0.025 mol/L. (5)
(b) Find the first-order rate constant for the disappearance of A in the gas reaction
2A ----> R if, on holding the pressure constant, the volume of the reaction mixture,
starting with 80% A, decreases by 20% in 3 min. (10)
4) Pure gaseous reactant A (CAO = 100 millimol/liter) is fed at a steady rate into a mixed
flow reactor (V = 0.1 liter) where it dimerizes ( 2A -> R ). For different gas feed rates, the
following data are obtained,Find a rate-equation--for-this reaction. Draw-the--required—
graph neatly on a graph sheet. (12)
Run number 1 2 3 4
vo, liter/hr 10.0 3.0 1.2 0.5
CM, millimoUliter 85.7 66.7 50 33.4

5) (a)_A homogeneous gas reaction A 3R has a reported rate -rA = 0.01C°A 5 mol/L.s at
215°C. Find the space-time needed for_80% conversion of a 50% A and 50% inert
• feed to a plug flow reactor operating at 215°C and 5 atm. (10)

(b) An elementary gas-phase reversible reaction between A, B, and R: A 4- B > R is

xr
••
conducted in an isothermal plug flow reactor. Find the volume change factor,(EA)-for
these kinetics for a feed of A, B, R, and inerts. Take CBO = MBCAO, CB0 = MBCAO, and
Clo = MICAo. (5)

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6) Between 0°C and 100°C determine the equilibrium conversion for the elementary
aqueous reaction-:--A-T-_HI-;AG-- °298 "--14,1-30 J/mol-;---M1°298 —75,3001 , an
C pA =CpR = constant . Present the results in the form of a plot of temperature versus
conversion. What restrictions should be placed on the reactor operating isothermally to
obtain a conversion of 75% or higher? (13)

7) 10 liters/min of liquid feed containing 1 mol A/liter is to be treated to 99% conversion

using two mixed flow reactors of unequal size in series. The reaction is A —> R with
CA
= mol/L.min. Find the sizes of the two units that correspond to a minimum
0.2 + CA
total volume. (10)

8) The following elementary liquid-phase series-parallel reaction is conducted in a CSTR.

A+B
R+B
Derive the expressions for (a) concentration of R; (b) optimum conversion (XA,opt) to
achieve maximum concentration of R; and also (c) CR,max. Note that kl * k2. (15)

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