3. Consider a steady-state reactor in which ethanol is produced by the hydration

Question

3. Consider a steady-state reactor in which ethanol is produced by the hydration of ethylene: Unfortunately, some ethanol is converted to diethyl ether in an undesirable side reaction: 2CHsOH (C2H5)20+H2O Based upon the following information, determine the molar flow rates of ethylene, water, ethanol, and diethyl ether in the produet s The feed to the reactor contains 145 mol/h ethylene and 175 molh water The fractional conversion of the limiting reactant is 0.75 The selectivity of ethanol relative to diethyl ether is 7.0.

Explanation / Answer

Moles of Ethylene fed = 145 mol/h

Moles of water fed = 175 mol/h

From the stoichiometry of the first reaction

1 mol C2H4 reacts with 1 mol H2O

Moles of C2H4 < moles of H2O

C2H4 is limiting reactant

Fractional conversion of C2H4 = 0.75

Moles of C2H4 converted = 145 x 0.75 = 108.75 mol/h

Moles of H2O converted = 108.75 mol/h

In the product stream

Moles of C2H4 in product = moles fed - moles converted

= 145 - 108.75

= 36.25 mol/h

Moles of water in product = 175 - 108.75

= 66.25 mol/h

Selectivity = moles of ethanol formed / moles of ether formed

moles of ethanol formed = 7 x moles of ether formed

Moles of ethanol formed + moles of ether formed = 108.75

Moles of ethanol formed + (moles of ethanol formed/7) = 108.75

Moles of ethanol formed = 7 x 108.75/8

= 95.16 mol/h

moles of ether formed = 95.16/7 = 13.59 mol/h

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