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

ID: 818841 • Letter: E

Question

Ethylene oxide (C2H4O) is a high volume chemical intermediate that is used to produce glycol

and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Ethylene oxide is produced by the partial oxidation of ethylene

(C2H4) using a solid catalyst in a fixed?bed reactor:

2C2H4 + O2 --> 2C2H4O

In addition, a portion of the ethylene reacts completely to CO2 and H2O:

C2H4 + 3O2 --> 2CO2 + 2H2O

The product gas leaving the fixed bed ethylene oxide reactor has the following water?free

composition: 20.5% C2H4O; 72.7% N2; 2.3% O2; nad 4.5% CO2. Determine the percent excess air

based on the desired reaction, and the lb/h of ethylene feed required to produce 100,000 ton/yr

of ethylene oxide.

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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