Ethylene oxide (C2H4O) is a high-volume chemical intermediate that is used to pr

Question

Ethylene oxide (C2H4O) is a high-volume chemical intermediate that is used to produce glycol and polyethylene glycol. Ethylene oxide is produced by the partial oxidation of ethylene (C2H4) on a solid catalyst in a fixed bed reactor: C2H4 + 1/2O2 ? C2H4O. A portion of the ethylene reacts in an undesired reaction to form carbon dioxide and water: C2H4 + 3O2 ? 2CO2 + 2H2O. The product gas leaving the reactor has the following water-free composition: 20.5% C2H4O, 72.7% N2, 2.3% O2 and 4.5 % CO2. Determine the % excess air (based on the desired reaction) and the lb/hr of ethylene feed required to produce 100,000 ton/yr of ethylene oxide.

Explanation / Answer

frm gas conc.

C2H4 + 1/2O2 = C2H4O and C2H4 + 3O2 = 2CO2 + 2H2O.

20.5 % C2H4O, 4.5 % CO2

so ratio of molar production 4.55 : 1

from equations. 4.55 mole C2H4 = 4.55 C2H4O

0.5 mole C2H4 = 1 mole CO2

so 5.05 mole C2H4 = 4.55 Mole C2H4O

141 g C2H4 = 200.2 g C2H4O

1 short ton per year = 6.33775293

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