Mass & Energy Balance

Tutorial / Assignment 2.1

Question 1
A stream of hot dry nitrogen flows through a process unit that contains liquid acetone. A
substantial portion of the acetone vaporizes and is carried off by the nitrogen. The
combined gases leave the recovery unit at 205 oC and 1.1 bar and enter a condenser in
which a portion of the acetone is liquified. The remaining gas leaves the condenser at
10oC and 40 bar. The partial pressure of acetone in the feed to the condenser is 0.1 bar,
and that in the effluent gas from the condenser is 0.379 bar.
Assume ideal gas behavior
a) calculate for a basis of 1 m3 of gas feed to the condenser the mass of acetone
condensed (kg) and the volume of gas leaving the condenser (m3)
b) Suppose the volumetric flow rate of the gas leaving the condenser is 20.0 m3/h.
Calculate the rate (kg/h) at which acetone is vaporized in the solvent recovery unit.

Question 2
A hot-air dryer is used to reduce the moisture content of 1500 kg/min of wet wood pulp
from 0.75 kg H2O/kg dry pulp to 0.15 wt% H2O. Air is drawn from the atmosphere at 28oC,
760 mm Hg, and 50% relative humidity, sent through a blower heater, and then fed to the
dryer. The air leaves the dryer at 80oC and 10 mm Hg (gauge). A sample of the exit air is
drawn into a chamber containing a mirror and cooled slowly, keeping the gauge pressure
at 10 mm Hg. A mist is observed to form on the mirror at temperature of 40.0oC. Calculate
the mass of water removed from the pulp (kg/min) and the volumetric flow rate of air
entering the system (m3/min).