Batch Reactor Problem Set (IA1-Part 2):

1. From Levenspiel (3rd Edition): 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6/77; 3.10/77; 3.17, 3.19/79; 3.22, 3.23/81; 3.29,
3.30/82; and 3.11,3.12, 3.20, 3.21, 3.24, 3.25; From Walas: 2.2, 2,3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6/55

2. The elementary gas phase decomposition at 350K : 2 A  2 R + S when taking place at constant
volume reactor starting with 85% A, 15% Inerts by mole showed an increase of total pressure of 15% in
40 min.
a) What is the half-life of A?
b) What is the maximum possible % increase in total pressure?
c) What is the % increase in total pressure after 1 hr and 20 min?
d) If each batch has a start up time of 10 min; dumping and clean up time of 20 min; and 10 batches are
to be made per day; what is the % conversion attained per batch?

3. Suppose the decomposition in (2) takes place at a constant total pressure of 2 atm, and 350K, starting
with 90% A, 10 % Inerts by mole.
a) What is the half-life of A?
b) What is the maximum possible % increase in total volume?
c) What is the % increase in total volume after 1 hr and 20 min?
d) If each batch has a start up time of 20 min; dumping and clean up time of 30 min; and 10 batches are
to be made per day; what is the % conversion attained per batch?

4. The liquid phase reaction : A + B  2 R + S takes place at 350K in an experimental batch reactor ,
with initial concentrations of 2 M for A and 2.5 M for B. Each batch must attain 75% conversion of A,
and 12 batches are completed per day with 40 min spent for startup, dumping , and cleaning per batch.
a) What is the value and unit of the rate constant, kA?
b) If the initial concentrations are both 2.5 M, and targeting again 75% conversion of A per batch at the
same temperature; how many batches can now be made per day?

5. Given the elementary gas phase reaction: A + B  R + 2 S taking place in a batch reactor at 400K.
a) At constant volume and starting with 40% A, 50% B, and 10% Inerts by mole, what is the expected %
increase in total pressure at the half-life of A of 75 min?
b) Explain how to compute the rate constant if the initial total pressure is 1.5 atm.
c) Suppose 20 batches are made per day with 45 min total idle time between batches? Explain how you
will get the % conversion attained per batch.
d) Suppose the feed is changed to 45% A, 45% B, 5% Inerts by mole. Will the half-life change? Prove
your answer.
e) Suppose the reaction is conducted at constant total pressure of 1.5 atm and 400K using the same
feed as in (d). Will you get the same half-life as in (d)? Prove your answer.