For the case of methanol synthesis discussed in Example 22.2, determine the appropriate expression for the equilibrium constant K(T) for the case when inerts are present in the feed along with the stoichiometric amounts of CO and hydrogen. What is the effect of adding 50% inerts to the feed for the case when the temperature is 500 K and the pressure is 100 bar?

Example 22.2

Comment on the following statement: “For reactions in equilibrium, if the forward reaction is exothermic, then an increase in temperature reduces the conversion, which means that the forward reaction rate decreases with temperature.”