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 + 2 H2O

The feed to the reactor contains equimolar amounts of methane and oxygen.
Assume a basis of 100 mol feed/s.The fractional conversion of methane is 0.9 and
the fractional yield of formaldeyde is 0.855. Calculate (a) molar composition of the
reactor output stream (b) selectivity of formaldehyde production relative to
carbon dioxide production.(c) extents of reaction (d) degree of completion (e) %
yield of formaldehyde?
Elemental Balance
W (H2O)

A
b
s
o
5% H2CO3
r 95% H2O
b
e
r

F (CO2)
1. Ethanol is produced commercially by the hydration of ethylene:
C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH
Some of the product is converted to diethyl ether in the side reaction:

2C2H5OH → (C2H5)2O + H2O

The feed to the reactor contains ethylene, steam and an inert gas. A sample of the
reactor effluent gas is analyzed and found to contain 43.3% mole ethylene, 2.5% ethanol,
0.14% ether, 9.3% inerts, and the balance water. Taking a basis of 100 mol of effluent gas
(a) calculate the molar composition of the reactor feed (b) percentage conversion of the
limiting reactant (c) fractional yield of ethanol (d) selectivity of ethanol production
relative to ether production.