Chapter 2: Conversion and Reactor Sizing
Example
Using the Ideal Gas Law to Calculate CA0 and FA0
The entering molar flow rate for a gas is
\( F_{A0} = v_{0} C_{A0} = v_{0} \frac{y_{A0} P_{0}}{RT_{0}} \)
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where CA0= |
entering concentration, mol/dm3 |
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yA0= |
entering mole fraction of A |
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P0= |
entering total pressure, e.g., kPa |
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PA0= |
yA0P0 = entering partial pressure of A, e.g., kPa |
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T0= |
entering temperature, K |
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v0= |
volumetric flow rate |
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R= |
Ideal Gas Constant ( e.g \( R = 8.314 \, \frac{\text{kPa} \cdot \text{dm}^3}{\text{mol} \cdot \text{K}} \); see Appendix B) |
The size of the reactor will depend on the flow rate, reaction kinetics, reactor conditions, and desired conversion. Let's first calculate the entering molar flow rate.
A gas of pure A at 830 kPa (8.2 atm) enters a reactor with a volumetric flow rate, v0, of 2 dm3/s at 500 K. Calculate the entering concentration of A, CA0, and the entering molar flow rate, FA0.