The dehydration of t-butanol to isobutene is run as an equilibrium-limited reaction with Keg - 2.4...

 

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The dehydration of t-butanol to isobutene is run as an equilibrium-limited reaction with Keg - 2.4 atm at T-323 K. The gas-phase reactor is operated at 1 atm total pressure, and the feed is to contain 10 mole/min t-butanol. (CH3)3COH (CH3)2C-CH2 + HO a) Calculate the equilibrium conversion expected when the feed is pure t-butanol vapor. Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. b) Calculate the equilibrium conversion expected if this reactor is operated instead at a total pressure of 0.2 atm. Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. c) It is common to add nitrogen or another inert gas to the feed stream to increase the butanol conversion. Calculate the fractional conversion of butanol expected when the feed is 20 mole% t-butanol and 80 mole% nitrogen, at 1 atm total pressure and the same 10 mole/min t-butanol flow rate as in the original statement. Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. d) Comment briefly on the difference between the conversions expected for these conditions. Give advantages and disadvantages of each plan. The dehydration of t-butanol to isobutene is run as an equilibrium-limited reaction with Keg - 2.4 atm at T-323 K. The gas-phase reactor is operated at 1 atm total pressure, and the feed is to contain 10 mole/min t-butanol. (CH3)3COH (CH3)2C-CH2 + HO a) Calculate the equilibrium conversion expected when the feed is pure t-butanol vapor. Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. b) Calculate the equilibrium conversion expected if this reactor is operated instead at a total pressure of 0.2 atm. Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. c) It is common to add nitrogen or another inert gas to the feed stream to increase the butanol conversion. Calculate the fractional conversion of butanol expected when the feed is 20 mole% t-butanol and 80 mole% nitrogen, at 1 atm total pressure and the same 10 mole/min t-butanol flow rate as in the original statement. Also report the outlet composition and total molar flow rate. d) Comment briefly on the difference between the conversions expected for these conditions. Give advantages and disadvantages of each plan.