PROBLEM SET 2.

PART A

1. Liquid A decomposes by first-order kinetics, and in a batch reactor 50% of A is converted in a 5-

minute run. How much longer would it take to reach 75% conversion? Repeat the previous
problem for second-order kinetics.
2. A 10-minute experimental run shows that 75% of liquid reactant is converted to product by a %-
order rate. What would be the fraction converted in a half-hour run?
3. In a homogeneous isothermal liquid polymerization, 20% of the monomer disappears in 34
minutes for initial monomer concentration of 0.04 and also for 0.8 mol/liter. What rate equation
represents the disappearance of the monomer?
4. After 8 minutes in a batch reactor, reactant (CA O = 1 mol/liter) is 80% converted; after 18
minutes, conversion is 90%. Find a rate equation to represent this reaction.
5. Aqueous A reacts to form R (A R) and in the first minute in a batch reactor its concentration
drops from CAo = 2.03 mol/liter to C Af = 1.97mol/liter. Find the rate equation for the reaction if
the kinetics are second order with respect to A.
6. Enzyme E catalyzes the transformation of reactant A to product R as follows:

If we introduce enzyme (CEO = 0.001 mol/liter) and reactant (C Ao = 10 mol/liter) into a batch
reactor and let the reaction proceed, find the time needed for the concentration of reactant to
drop to 0.025 mol/liter. Note that the concentration of enzyme remains unchanged during the
reaction.
7. The reaction of saponification: NaOH + C2H5(CH3COO) → Na(CH3COO) + C2H5OH is second order
and irreversible at low concentrations. In a batch reactor at constant temperature a water
solution is loaded containing NaOH and ethyl acetate, both with initial concentrations 0.1 N.
After 15 minutes, conversion of ethyl acetate is 18%. Calculate the reaction time needed to
obtain a conversion of 25% NaOH when loading the reactor with a solution 0.2 N NaOH and 0.1N
ethyl acetate.
8. Find the conversion after 1 hour in a batch reactor for

9. Huang and Dauerman (1969) have studied the acetylation of benzyl chloride in dilute solution at
102°C. Using equimolal concentrations of sodium acetate and benzyl chloride (0.757 kmol/m 3),
Table 3-16 lists the reported data on the fraction of benzyl chloride remaining unconverted
versus time. Determine the order of the reaction and the reaction rate constant at this
temperature.

10. The first-order reversible liquid reaction A R takes place in a batch reactor. After 8 minutes,
conversion of A is 33.3% while equilibrium conversion is 66.7%. Find the rate equation for this
reaction. CA0 = 0.5 M, CRO=0