One way to produce formaldehyde (HCHO) is via the partial oxidation of methanol (CH3OH). However, when...

 

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One way to produce formaldehyde (HCHO) is via the partial oxidation of methanol (CH3OH). However, when methanol reacts with oxygen, some of the methanol is instead converted to carbon dioxide, and some methanol is converted to formic acid (HCOOH). Note, not more than one of these three products is created in the same reaction, but in every reaction, water is a byproduct. Suppose that 100 kmol/hr methanol and 50 kmol/hr of oxygen are fed to a reactor. Analysis of the reactor effluent reveals 62.5 kmol/ht of methanol, 10 kmol/hr of oxygen, and 57.5 kmol/hr of water exits. (b) Write the three balanced chemical reactions involved in this process. (c) Complete a degree of freedom analysis for this process. (d) Depending on your results from part (b), do one of these three things: (i) (ii) (iii) If the DOF is negative, show where there is a contradiction or redundancy. If the DOF is zero, determine how much formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and formic acid is produced. If the DOF is positive, identify two distinct sets of variables that satisfy this process statement (it's fine if some values are the same in both sets as long as some are different). One way to produce formaldehyde (HCHO) is via the partial oxidation of methanol (CH3OH). However, when methanol reacts with oxygen, some of the methanol is instead converted to carbon dioxide, and some methanol is converted to formic acid (HCOOH). Note, not more than one of these three products is created in the same reaction, but in every reaction, water is a byproduct. Suppose that 100 kmol/hr methanol and 50 kmol/hr of oxygen are fed to a reactor. Analysis of the reactor effluent reveals 62.5 kmol/ht of methanol, 10 kmol/hr of oxygen, and 57.5 kmol/hr of water exits. (b) Write the three balanced chemical reactions involved in this process. (c) Complete a degree of freedom analysis for this process. (d) Depending on your results from part (b), do one of these three things: (i) (ii) (iii) If the DOF is negative, show where there is a contradiction or redundancy. If the DOF is zero, determine how much formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and formic acid is produced. If the DOF is positive, identify two distinct sets of variables that satisfy this process statement (it's fine if some values are the same in both sets as long as some are different).