An equimolar mixture of H₂ and CO is obtained by the reaction of steam with coal. The product mixture is known as “water-gas.” To enhance the H₂ content, steam is mixed with water-gas and passed over a catalyst at 550°C and 1 bar so as to convert CO to CO₂ by the reaction:

Any unreacted H₂O is subsequently condensed and the CO₂ is subsequently absorbed to give a final product that is mostly H₂. This operation is called the water-gas shift reaction. Compute the equilibrium compositions at 550°C based on an equimolar feed of H₂, CO, and H₂O.

Data for 550°C:

Transcribed Image Text:

H,O+CO + H,+CO,