REACTOR DESIGN:

The reaction takes place in fixed bed tubular reactor.

The reaction is given by,
C6H6 + 4.5O2 -----> C4H2O3 + 2CO2 + 2H2O
As Fixed bed reactor is a plug flow reactor, The design equation is given as

Gibbs free energy of Benzene = 129.7 KJ/mol

Gibbs free energy of Maleic anhydride = 90.03 KJ/mol
Gibbs free energy of Water = -237.14KJ/mol
(DG)TOTAL = (DG)PRODUCTS - (DG)REACTANTS
= -17.44 KJ/mol
DG = RT ln K
-17.44 = 8.314*298* ln K
K = 1.007 hr -1.
We know that,
= ln (1-X) / K
With 95% conversion and K=1.007 hr -1
= 2.97 hrs.
Total molar flow rate of reactants FA0 = 28.8 Kmol/hr
CA0 = 15.09 mol/m3

The catalyst used in the packed bed reactor is vanadium pentoxide where Volume
occupied by the catalyst bed is given as
V = FA0 * CA0
Volume of the bed = 5.66 m3
Mass of the Catalyst = 4114.08 Kg
Density of the catalyst = 3360 Kg
Volume is given by the formula
V = (∏*D2*L) 4
D = Diameter of the reactor
L = Height of the reactor
We know that L / D ratio = 1.5
Therefore,
Diameter of the reactor = 1.68 m
Height of the reactor = 2.53 m .