Homework 3

EVF401G Material and energy balance

Due date: 23:59 pm, Tuesday 15.02.2022.

Write your answers in an organized and clear manner. Submit your answers in a single .pdf file on
Canvas. You can solve the exercises using pen and paper and scan the solution to a .pdf file
(answers must be readable, use a dark pen) or write up the solution in Word, Powerpoint, Latex,…
and export the solution to a .pdf file.

Write every steps/assumptions in the calculation towards the final answer as all the steps will
give you score points. Reporting the final answer only will not contribute to a full score point.
Write everything in English.
This homework will count as 5% of your final grade.

1) Methane and oxygen react in the presence of a catalyst to form formaldehyde. In a parallel
reaction, methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water:
CH4 + O2 → HCHO + H2O
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
The feed to the reactor contains equal amounts of methane and oxygen. Assume a basis of
100 mol feed/s.
(a) Draw and label a flowchart. Do a degree-of-freedom analysis based on atomic species
balances. 5 points
(b) The fractional conversion of methane is 0.9 and the fractional yield of formaldehyde is
0.855. Calculate the molar composition of the reactor output stream and the selectivity of
formaldehyde production relative to carbon dioxide production. 20 points

2) The product gas from a solid fuel combustion reaction has the following dry-basis molar
composition: 2.57% CO, 72% CO2, 25.4% O2, and 0.0592% SO2.
Pure oxygen is fed to the furnace in 20% excess of that required to burn the fuel completely.
There is no oxygen in the fuel. Calculate the elemental composition of the fuel. 25 points