Problem Sheet 7

(1) Methanol is synthesized from a feed containing 67.3% H 2, 32.5% CO and 0.2% inert CH4 according to reaction
CO + 2H2  CH3OH. The feed enters (100 moles, at 25 ˚C) an isothermal stochiometric reactor operated at
170˚C. The once through conversion of the CO is 18%. The product stream then goes to a separator where
complete removal of a product from unreacted reactant and inert takes place. The separated stream is
recycled and fed to reactor after purge so that the concentration of inert in the exit from the separator is no
more than 3.2mole %.
Construct the flowsheet for above process by selecting suitable unit operation. Find out the flow rate
composition of all streams in case of
(a) Separated stream is not recycled
(b) Separated stream is recycled
(2) Ammonia is synthesised from a feed containing 1:3 nitrogen-hydrogen mixture in a converter resulting in a
25% conversion to ammonia. The fresh feed (400˚C, 200 atm) contains 0.20 part of inert argon to 100 parts
of N2-H2 mixture. The exit from reactor is sent to separator when product NH3 is complete removed.
Construct the flow sheet on the basis of 100 moles of N2-H2 mixtures for following cases
(a) Separated stream having unreacted N2-H2 & Ar is withdrawn without sending it for recycle. Find
composition and flow rate of all streams for the case the exit.
(b) Modified the flowsheet for the steady state recycled process and find out the flow rate and composition
of all streams given that toleration limit of Ar entering the reactor is 5 parts to 100 parts of N2-H2 by
volume. Also calculate recycle ratio(R/F) and purge ratio(P/R).