Question: When ethanol (CH 3 CH 2 OH) is dehydrated in the presence of air on a catalyst, the following chemical reactions occur. CH 3 CH
When ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is dehydrated in the presence of air on a catalyst, the following chemical reactions occur.
CH3CH2OH - CH3CHO + H2
2 CH3CH2OH + 3 02 -> 4 CO2+ 6 H2
2 CH3CH2OH + 2 H2 -> 4 CH4+ O2
The feed to the reactor consists of ethanol and air. The reactor product goes to a condenser where the acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) is separated. The rest of the products come out as a mixture of gases whose composition is: 18.81% H2 8.68 % CH4, 54.42 % N2, X % CO2 and Y % O2. (X and Y are unknown)
Determine:
(A) The degree of freedom of the process based on 100 moles of gas mixture coming out of the reactor.
(B) The amount of acetaldehyde produced, in moles.
(C) The amount of ethanol fed, in moles.
(D) The composition (% molar) of CO2 and O2 in the gas mixture that comes out of the reactor.
(E) The percentage conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde.
(F) The selectivity (moles acetaldehyde moles methane) of acetaldehyde to methane
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts
