Answer 4.3.1: Why we need extents of reaction equations

Problem:

The reaction between propane and hydrogen chloride to form propyl chloride and hydrogen is carried out in a continuous reactor. The product stream is analyzed and found to contain 27.45 mole% C3H7Cl, 27.45 mole % H2 and 14.6% HCl. The feed to the reactor contains only propane and hydrogen chloride. Calculate the fractional conversion of the limiting reactant and the percentage by which the other reactant is in excess. If the molar flow rate of the feed stream is 290 mol/s, what is the extent of reaction? (Give its numerical value and its units.)

Explanation:

It looks like you're understanding how to write extents of reaction equations. We'll see how you do when things get more complicated in other examples in a little bit. For now, let's see what these equations would have looked like written on a sheet of paper:

overall equation: in - out + generation - consumption = 0
C3H8 balance: F1,C3H8-F2,C3H8 - ξ = 0
HCl balance: F1,HCl - F2,HCl - ξ = 0
C3H7Cl balance: F1,C3H7Cl - F2,C3H7Cl + ξ = 0
H2 balance: F1,H2 - F2,H2 + ξ = 0

We're going to send you back to the main page to see which other steps may be important in this problem. But first, you'll need to write down the code number:

123


>




The University of Arizona. All copyrights © reserved.

© 2007 Arizona Board of Regents for The University of Arizona