CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

CH6701 CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING - II

UNIT-I (CATALYTS)
PART-A (Questions & Answers)

C401.1 At the end of this unit students has ability

To learn about solid catalysis, surface area and its pore volume distribution.

1. Define Catalysis.
“Catalysis” is a term refers to a process in which the rate of reaction is influenced by a substance (catalyst)
that remains chemically unaffected.

2. List the general characteristics of catalysis. (Dec 2017)

The general characteristics of catalysis are;
 A catalyst accelerates reaction by providing alternate paths of products, the activation energy of each
catalytic step being less than that for the homogeneous (non-catalytic) reaction.
 In the reaction cycle, active centers of catalysis first combine with at least one reactant and then are
reproduced with the appearance of product. The freed center then combines with reactant to produce
another cycle.
 Comparatively small quantities of catalytic centers are required to produce large amounts of product.
 Equilibrium conversion is not altered by catalysis. A catalyst which accelerates the forward reaction in
an equilibrium system is a catalyst for the reverse reaction.
 The catalyst can radically alter selectivity.

3. What is homogeneous catalysis? Give one example.

Homogeneous catalysis is one in which the reactants, the catalyst and the products are in same or single .
The basis for the any catalytic theory is that first the catalyst and one or more of the reactants form an
intermediate complex, a loosely bound compound – which is unstable. This complex then takes part in
subsequent reactions which results in the final products and the regenerated catalyst.
The kinetics of the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate catalyzed by hydrochloric acid can be explained by the
following mechanism.
CH3COOC2H5 + H+ → CH3C00C2H5 [H+]
CH3C00C2H5 [H+] + H2O → C2H5OH + CH3C00H + H+

4. Does a catalyst alter equilibrium conversion of a chemical reaction? Explain.

No. With a reversible reaction, a catalyst which increases the rate will increase the rate of both the forward
and the backward reaction. This is useful because the catalyst will, cause the reaction mixture to reach its
equilibrium composition more quickly. So, the catalyst will not change the equilibrium composition of the
substance and hence the conversion.

5. Is the selectivity of multiple reactions affected by catalysts? Explain.

Yes, the selectivity of multiple reactions is affected by catalysts. It means that the selectivity changes only
the rate of desired and undesired materials in the multiple reactions. Thus, in the presence of appropriate
catalyst, products containing predominantly the materials desired can be obtained from a given feed.

6. Give the classification of catalyst.

There are two broad classes of catalyst;
 Biochemical catalysts, called Enzymes, are found everywhere in the biochemical world and in
living creatures and operate at close to ambient temperature.
 Man-made catalysts, mostly solids, usually aim to cause the high-temperature rupture or synthesis
of materials.

7. What is Catalyst promoter? (NOV/DEC 2014)

Catalyst promoters are substances which do not act as catalyst but enhance the efficiency or activity or
selectivity or stability of catalyst and prolong catalyst life. For example, the catalytic activity of V 2O5 in
oxidation of SO2 is enhanced appreciably when sulphates of alkali metals are added in small amounts.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 1 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

8. What is catalyst inhibition? (NOV/DEC 2014)

Catalyst inhibitors are substances which decrease the rate of reaction, or activity or selectivity or stability of
the catalyst. For example in the oxidation of ethylene, ethylene oxide is the desirable product. At the
same conditions CO2 and H2O are also formed by complete oxidation, but this reaction is undesirable and
needs to be suppressed. In this process silver supported alumina is a good catalyst but if halogen compound
is added, CO2 and H2O formation is reduced.

9. State the types of catalyst poisoning.

The decrease in the activity of catalyst due to poisons, which will be defined as substances (either in the
reactants stream or produced by reaction) which lower the activity of catalyst.
The types of catalyst poisoning are;
 Deposited poisons
 Chemisorbed poisons
 Selectivity poisons
 Stability poisons
 Diffusion poisons

10. Define Effectiveness Factor of a catalyst. (May 2015).

Effectiveness Factor of a catalyst can be defined as:
Effectiveness factor = actual mean reaction rate within pore /rate if not slowed by pore diffusion.

11. What are types of catalyst deactivation? (May 2012).

Activity of catalysts normally decreases with time. The life of any catalyst generally depends on type of
reactions as well as reaction conditions. For example, catalysts for catalytic cracking lose much of their
activity within seconds due to carbon deposition on the surface while promoted iron catalysts used in
ammonia synthesis have a lifetime of years.

12. What are promoters and inhibitators? (Dec. 2014). (May 2017)
Promoters is an additive which has no catalytic properties of its own but enhances the activity of a catalyst.
Promoter results in increase of available surface area stabilization against crystal growth and sintering and
improvement of mechanical strength.

13. Name the components present in catalyst.

1. Catalytic agent
2. Support /carrier
3. Promoters and Inhibitors

14. Classify catalytic agents.

Catalytic agents may be broadly divided in the following categories:
Metallic conductors ( e.g Fe, Pt, Ag, etc.)
Semiconductors (e.g. NiO, ZnO, etc.)
Insulators (e.g. Al2O3, SiO2, etc.)

15. Name the methods of preparing solid catalyst.

1. Bulk preparation method
2. Impregnation method
3. Physical mixing

16. Name the three categories of Industrial catalysts.

1. Bulk catalysts.
2. Supported catalyst.
3. Mixed Agglomerates.

17. How will represent pore-volume distribution?

Pore size distribution can be represented both in differential and cumulative ways.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 2 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

18. What are the carrier or support used and why they are used with catalyst?
A catalyst support is the material, usually a solid with a high surface area, to which a catalyst is affixed. The
reactivity of heterogeneous catalysts and nanomaterial-based catalysts occurs at the surface atoms.Catalyst
support results in highly porous nature - increase of available surface area improve stability improves the
heat transfer characteristics. Some of Alumina, Asbestos, Carborundum, Iron oxide, Manganese, Activated
carbon, Zinc oxide.

19. What is sol gel method of preparation of catalyst?

The sol-gel process is a wet-chemical technique (Chemical Solution Deposition) for the fabrication of
materials starting from a chemical solution that reacts to produce colloidal particles (sol). Typical
precursors are metal alkoxides and metal chlorides, which undergo hydrolysis and polycondensation
reactions to form a colloid, a system composed of solid particles (size ranging from 1 nm to 1 μm) dispersed
in a solvent. The sol evolves then towards the formation of an inorganic network containing a liquid phase
(gel). Formation of a metal oxide involves connecting the metal centers with oxo (M-O-M) or hydroxo (M-
OH-M) bridges, therefore generating metal-oxo or metal-hydroxo polymers in solution. The drying process
serves to remove the liquid phase from the gel thus forming a porous material, then a thermal treatment
(firing) may be performed in order to favor further polycondensation and enhance mechanical properties.

20. Which catalyst properties can be influenced by promoters?

Activity, selectivity, and stability.

21. What is co-precipitation method of preparation of catalyst?

Catalyst based on more than one component can be prepared by coprecipitation. According to IUPAC
nomenclature this term is used for the simultaneous precipitation of normal soluble component with macro
component from the same solution by the formation of mixed crystal by adsorption, occlusion or by
mechanical entrapment. Co-precipitation is very suitable for the generation of homogeneous distribution of
catalyst or for the creation of precursor of definite stoichiometry which can be easily converted into active
catalyst.

22. What is incipient wetness method of preparation of catalyst?

Incipient wetness impregnation is a commonly used technique for the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts.
Typically, the active metal precursor is dissolved in an aqueous or organic solution. Then the metal-
containing solution is added to a catalyst support containing the same pore volume as the volume of
solution that was added. Capillary action draws the solution into the pores. The catalyst can then be dried
and calcined to drive off the volatile components within the solution, depositing the metal on the catalyst
surface

23. What are the main interactions that can occur between metals and support materials?
Electronic interactions; reduced support species on the metal surface; phase formation at interfacial
surfaces.

24. What is Negative catalyst? (May 2017)

An Negative Catalyst is a substance that decreases the rate of a chemical reaction. An example of negative
catalyst is decomposition of H2O2 in the presence of phosphoric acid as well as oxidation of chloroform in
the presence of alcohol.

25. What is catalyst base material? (May 2017) (Dec 2017)

A catalyst support is the material, usually a solid with a high surface area, to which a catalyst is affixed.

Part B
1. Explain in detail how the pore volume distribution of a solid catalyst is determined by the mercury
penetration method. (May 2016) (Dec. 2014)

2. Explain in detail on catalyst preparation. (May 2015). (May 2017) (Dec 2017)

3. Explain various methods of finding pore size distributions of catalyst. (Nov. 2013)

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 3 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

4. During the adsorption of hexane on silica gel at 85 oC, the following data are obtained. Determine which
isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich Temkin) fits the data well for this systems. (Nov. 2013)

Partial Pressure of hexane, atm 0.002 0.004 0.008 0.0113 0.0156 0.0256
-6 -5 -5 -5 -5
Hexane Adsorbed, gmol/g 11 x 10 16 x 10 27 x 10 35 x 10 43 x 10 48 x 10-5
5. What is catalyst deactivation? How and why it occurs? What are the factors that are responsible for
deactivating a porous catalyst pellet? (May 2014)

6. The true density of the solid material in an activated alumina was reported as 3675 kg/m3. The density of
the particle obtained from mercury displacement was 1547 kg/m and surface area as 175 m2. Determine the
pore volume /gm, the porosity and mean pore radius of the particle. (May 2014)

7. Explain the effect of porosity of effective thermal conductivity. (May, 2012)

8. Explain briefly about determination of Pore-volume distribution by Mercury penetration method

9. Explain in detail about the Preparation of Catalyst.

10. Explain in detail on nature of catalyst surface with different examples. (May 2017)

11. Explain the various types of molecular diffusion in porous catalyst.

UNIT-II (HETEROGENEOUS REACTORS)

PART-A (Questions & Answers)

CO: CH6401.1 At the end of this unit students has ability

To understand Heterogeneous Reactors and its rate equation.

1. What do you mean by rate controlling step in heterogeneous reactions?

The slowest possible step in the sequence of steps involved in heterogeneous processes is said to be rate
controlling step.
Note: The sequence of steps involved in heterogeneous processes is;
 Transport of reactants from the bulk fluid to the fluid-solid interface.
 Intraparticle transport of reactants into the catalyst particle (if it is porous).
 Adsorption of reactants at interior sites of the catalyst.
 Chemical reaction of adsorbed reactants to adsorbed products (surface reaction - the intrinsic
chemical step.
 Desorption of adsorbed products.
 Transport of products from the interior sites to the outer surface of the catalyst particle.
 Transport of products from the fluid-solid interface into the bulk-fluid stream. (Mostly the reaction
step is the rate controlling one)

2. Define adsorption and adsorbent. (NOV/DEC 2013)

It is a surface phenomenon, in which accumulation of any substance (Adsorbate) on the surface
of another substance (Adsorbent) takes place.
Two types of adsorption may occur;
 Physical adsorption: It is non-specific and somewhat similar to the process of condensation. The
forces attracting the fluid molecules to the solid surface are relatively weak.
 Chemisorption: It is specific and involves forces much stronger than in physical adsorption.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 4 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

3. What is Chemisorption?
a. It is specific and involves forces much stronger than in physical adsorption.
b. The process is often irreversible.
c. The energy of activation is low for non-activated adsorption and high for activated adsorption.

4. Explain two characteristics of physical adsorption. [Dec 2012]

Some of the important characteristics of physisorption are as follows;
(i) Deficient of specificity: since the van der Waal forces are universal, a given surface of adsorbent
does not show any preference for any specific gas. It can adsorb all the gases but to a different
extent.
(ii) (ii) Reversible nature: physical adsorption of a gas by the solid is reversible and thus equilibrium
is reached rapidly Solid + Gas gas/solid + Heat Thus, according to Le-chatelier's principle, -
Increase of pressure pushes the equilibrium in forward direction leading to more adsorption of gas
and decrease of pressure cause desorption to occur. - Since process is exothermic, therefore,
lowering of temperature favors more adsorption and increase of temperature leads to desorption.

5. What do you mean by adsorption isotherm.

A relation between the amount of adsorbate adsorbed on a given surface at constant temperature and the
equilibrium concentration of the substrate in contact with the adsorbent is known as Adsorption Isotherm.
6. Write about Freundlich adsorption isotherm.
Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm It is an empirical relation between the amount of an adsorbate adsorbed per
unit weight (x/m, mg g-1) of adsorbent and the adsorbate equilibrium concentration (Ce, moles L-1) in the
fluid. The relation is given below
x/m = K Ce n

7. State the assumptions of Langmuir adsorption isotherm. (Dec 2017)

The assumptions made over Langmuir treatment of adsorption are;
 All the surface of the catalyst has the same activity for adsorption.
 There is no interaction between adsorbed molecules (or) the amount adsorbed has no effect on the
rate of adsorption per site.
 All the adsorption occurs by the same mechanism, and each adsorbed complex has the same
structure.
 The extent of adsorption is less than on complete monomolecular layer on the surface.

8. Derive the Langmuir isotherm for the adsorption of a single species.

Since the adsorption is limited to complete coverage by a monomolecular layer, the surface may be divide
into two parts; the fraction „θ‟ covered by the adsorbed molecule and the fraction (1 – θ), which is bare.
Since only those molecules striking the uncovered part of the surface can be adsorbed, the rate of adsorption
per unit of total surface will be proportional to (1 – θ); that is
rad = k p (1 – θ)
The rate of Desorption will be proportional to the fraction of covered surface. That is
rde = kI θ
At equilibrium, rad = rde or k p (1 – θ) = kI θ
Solving for „θ‟, we get θ = k p/(kI + k p) = K p/(1 + K p) = v/vm
The above equation is called „Langmuir isotherm‟. Where K = k/kI is the adsorption equilibrium constant,
expressed in units of (pressure)-1.

9. Write the B E T equation for multilayer adsorption.

The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (B E T) equation is
P / [v (po – p)] = [1 / (vm c)] + {[(c – 1) p] / (c vm po)}
Where p - partial pressure of adsorbed gaseous molecule
p0 - saturation or vapor pressure
v - volume of gas adsorbed
vm - volume adsorbed when all the active sites are covered
c - a constant for the particular temperature and gas-solid system

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 5 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

10. A non-porous catalyst particle is of size 2 microns and density is 2 g/cm3. Calculate the external
surface area per gram of the particle.
The external surface area per gram of the particle, Sg
= 6 / [(Size of the particle, dp) (Density of the particle, ρp)]
= 6 / {[2 x 10-4 (cm)] [2 (g/cm3)]}
Or Sg = 1.5 x 104 cm2/g

11. Explain the principle of mercury-penetration method for the determination of pore-size distribution
in a catalyst particle.
The mercury-penetration method for the determination of pore size distribution in a catalyst particle
depends on the fact that mercury has a significant surface tension and does not wet most catalytic surfaces.
This means that the pressure required to force mercury into the pores depends on the pore radius.

12. List the advantages of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood method in developing rate equations.
The advantages of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood method are;
 The resultant rate equation may be extrapolated more accurately to concentrations beyond the range
of experimental measurements used.
 The method does take into account adsorption and surface reactions (which must occur) in a
consistent manner
.
13. What do you mean by desorption?
Desorption is a phenomenon whereby a substance is released from or through a surface. The process is the
opposite of sorption (that is, either adsorption or absorption). This occurs in a system being in the state of
sorption equilibrium between bulk phase (fluid, i.e. gas or liquid solution) and an adsorbing surface (solid
or boundary separating two fluids).

14. What is heterogeneous reaction?

Heterogeneous reaction, any of a class of chemical reactions in which the reactants are components of
two or more phases (solid and gas, solid and liquid, two immiscible liquids) or in which one or more
reactants undergo chemical change at an interface, e.g., on the surface of a solid catalyst.

15. Difference between physical adsorption and chemical adsorption (May 2015) & (Nov. 2013) (Dec
2017)
PHYSICAL ADSORPTION CHEMISORPTIONS
The forces operating in these are weak vander The forces operating in these cases are similar to
Waal‟s forces. those of a chemical bond.
The heat of adsorption are low i.e. about 20 – 40 kJ The heat of adsorption are high i.e. about 40 – 400 kJ
mol-1 mol-1
No compound formation takes place in these cases. Surface compounds are formed.
The process is reversible i.e. desorption of the gas The process is irreversible. Efforts to free the
occurs by increasing the temperature or decreasing adsorbed gas give some definite compound.
the pressure.
It does not require any activation energy. It requires any activation energy.
This type of adsorption decreases with increase of This type of adsorption first increases with increase
temperature. of temperature. The effect is called activated
adsorption.
It is not specific in nature i.e. all gases are adsorbed It is specific in nature and occurs only when there is
on all solids to some extent. some possibility of compound formation between the
gas being adsorbed and the solid adsorbent.
The amount of the gas adsorbed is related to the ease There is no such correlation exists.
of liquefaction of the gas.
It forms multimolecular layer. It forms unimolecular layer.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 6 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

16. Write the Freundlich Isotherm.

Freundlich gave an empirical expression representing the isothermal variation of adsorption of a quantity of
gas adsorbed by unit mass of solid adsorbent with pressure. This equation is known as Freundlich
Adsorption Isotherm or Freundlich Adsorption equation or simply Freundlich Isotherm.

Where x is the mass of the gas adsorbed on mass m of the adsorbent at pressure p and k, n are constants
whose values depend upon adsorbent and gas at particular temperature. Though Freundlich Isotherm
correctly established the relationship of adsorption with pressure at lower values, it failed to predict value of
adsorption at higher pressure.

17. Write the Langmuir Adsorption isotherm.

Langmuir isotherm was based on different assumptions one of which is that dynamic equilibrium exists
between adsorbed gaseous molecules and the free gaseous molecules.

Where A(g) is unadsorbed gaseous molecule, B(s) is unoccupied metal surface and AB is Adsorbed gaseous
molecule.
Based on his theory, he derived Langmuir Equation which depicted a relationship between the number of
active sites of the surface undergoing adsorption and pressure.

Where θ the number of sites of the surface which are covered with gaseous molecule, P represents pressure
and K is the equilibrium constant for distribution of adsorbate between the surface and the gas phase.

18. Brief the Langmuir Hinshelwood mechanism.

Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. The two molecules A and B both adsorb to the surface. While
adsorbed to the surface, the A and B "meet," bond, and then the new molecule A-B desorbs.

19. Write the steps involved in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. (May 2017)
First the reactants adsorb onto the surface. Through a series of bonds being formed and being broken,
adsorbed intermediates are produced and destroyed. Then the final product(s) is produced and it desorbs
from the solid.

20. Write about physical adsorption.

It is nonspecific (similar to the process of condensation) and forces attracting the fluid molecules to the
solid surface are relatively weak.
Equilibrium between the solid and the gas molecules is usually rapidly attained and easily reversible.

PART-B (Questions & Answers)

1. Derive the equation for effectiveness factor in a spherical pellet when the reaction is first order. (May2016)

2. An 0.86 g sample of Glaucosil is studied with N2 adsorption at – 195.8 oC. The following data are obtained:
Pressure (mm Hg) 6 25 140 230 285 320 430 505
3 o
Volume adsorbed, cm at 0 C and 1 atm: 61 127 170 197 215 280 277 335
The vapor pressure of N2 at -195.8 deg C is 1 atm; estimate the surface area (m2/g) of the sample. The
density of N2 at -195.8 0C is 0.808 gm/cm3. (May 2015).

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 7 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

3. For a bimolecular reaction A → B → C → D when all the species are adsorbed onto the catalytic surface
and if surface reaction is rate controlling derive the rate expression for the formation of the product „C‟.
(May, 2016); (Dec. 2014)

4. i) Derive the rate equation for heterogeneous reaction involving gas and solid. (May, 2012)
ii) Discuss in detail the different adsorption theories. (May, 2012) (May 2017) (Dec 2017)

5. (i) Explain the steps involved in catalytic chemical reactions.

(ii) Discuss the nature of catalytic reaction with suitable examples.

6. Explain the various theories of adsorption and derive the related equation.

7. Consider a solid catalyzed reaction A  R + S. Assuming Langmuir-Hinshelwood model, derive the kinetic
Rate equation. Assume Surface reaction to be rate controlling.

8. Tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) is produced by the liquid phase hydration (W) of isobutene (I) over an
amberlyst-15 catalyst. The liquid is normally a multi-phase mixture of Isobutene, water and the solid
catalyst. The reaction can be represented as I + W  TBA. If all the species set adsorbed on to the catalyst
surface and if the adsorption of Isobutene is rate limiting, derive the Rate equation for the reaction.

9. Describe in detail the Nitrogen adsorption method for the determination of Surface area of a catalyst.

10. Obtain rate expression for finding out effectiveness factor for spherical catalyst particle.

11. Rate data for the pyrolysis of normal octane at 450 Deg C give an apparent, first order, irreversible rate
constant, Ko of 0.25 cm3/s.g. Thin apparent rate constant is defined

UNIT-III (GAS-SOLID CATALYTIC REACTORS)

PART-A (Questions & Answers)

CO: CH6401.1 At the end of this unit students has ability

To learn Gas – solid catalytic reactors with its effectiveness factor

1. Explain Knudsen diffusion.(NOV/DEC 2013)

If the pore size of a solid catalyst is small and as the gas is less dense, then in such cases, molecules collide
more frequently with the catalyst pore walls as compared to collisions among each other. This type of
diffusion phenomena is called Knudsen diffusion.

2. Distinguish between Knudsen diffusion and Bulk diffusion.

Bulk diffusion occurs when the pores of a solid catalyst are considerably large and the gas is relatively
dense or if the pores are filled with liquid.
If the pore size of a solid catalyst is small and as the gas is less dense, then in such cases, molecules collide
more frequently with the catalyst pore walls as compared to collisions among each other. This type of
diffusion phenomena is called Knudsen diffusion. When the reaction mixture in the pore is liquid, Knudsen
diffusion does not occur.

3. Write short notes on surface diffusion.

The transport by movement of adsorbed molecules over the catalyst surface is called Surface Diffusion. The
direction of diffusion is that of the increasing surface concentration. Surface diffusion contributes little to
overall transport through a porous mass unless appreciable adsorption occurs.

4. Define Effective diffusivity. (May 2015) / (NOV/DEC 2014)

In a porous catalyst, the pores in a catalyst are not straight and they follow tortuous (zig-zag),

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 8 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

interconnecting paths having varying cross sectional area. To account this variation, effective diffusivity is
considered.
Effective diffusion coefficient accounts for the average diffusion taking place at any position in the catalyst
pellet and it is the function of both bulk diffusivity and Knudsen diffusivity. It is denoted by „De‟. Effective
diffusivities in porous catalysts are usually measured under conditions where the pressure is maintained
constant by external means.

5. What is a Parallel pore model?

This is a geometric model of the pore system, used to convert „D‟ to „De‟ for the porous pellet. It is the
model based on the properties (s, Vg, p), to represent the mono-disperse pore-size distribution in a catalyst
pellet. By this model, the effective diffusivity is De =  D/.
Where „‟ is the tortuosity factor, „‟ is the porosity of the pellet and „D‟ is the diffusivity (in the absence of
surface diffusion).

6. What is Random pore model?

This model was originally developed for pellets containing a bi-disperse pore system (considering both
Macro and Micro pores) to convert „D‟ to „De‟. By this model, the effective diffusivity is De = [M2] DM +
[μ2 (1 + 3M)/ (1 - M)] Dμ
Where DM & Dμ are the diffusivities for macro and micro pore regimes and M & M are the porosities for
the macro and micro pore regimes.

7. What are the resistances in porous catalyst?

The resistances in porous catalyst are;
 Resistance offered by the diffusion of reactants (gas or liquid) into the pores of the solid catalyst
(Pore diffusion resistance or diffusional mass transfer resistance)
 Resistance offered by the resultant rate equation for the surface phenomena (Reaction resistance)

8. Define Thiele modulus. Give its significance. (May/June 2014) (May 2017)
It is a dimensionless number (denoted by „MT or Ф‟), defined as the ratio of the intrinsic chemical reaction
rate in the absence of mass transfer limitation to the rate of diffusion through the particle. Thiele Modulus is
useful in predicting the reactor behavior from known kinetic information.

9. Define Effectiveness factor. (May 2015) & (NOV/DEC 2014) (May 2017) (Dec 2017)
The effectiveness factor (denoted by „η‟) is defined as the ratio of actual rate for the whole pellet to the rate
evaluated at outer surface conditions. OR It is the ratio of reaction rate with diffusion to the rate without
diffusion resistance.

10. Explain the significance of effectiveness factor.

For diffusion in single cylindrical pore, follows a first order kinetics, the effectiveness factor is η = tanh
(ФL) / ФL Where „ФL‟ is the Thiele modulus and is given by ФL = L / (k p / De)1/2
„L‟ is the thickness of cylindrical pore.
For small ФL (ФL < 0.4), η ≈ 1, the concentration of reactant does not drop appreciably within the pore; thus
pore diffusion offers negligible resistance.
For large ФL (ФL > 4), η = 1/ФL, the reactant concentration drops rapidly to zero on moving into the pore,
hence diffusion strongly influences the rate of reaction.

11. What is the effect of catalyst pellet size on the effectiveness factor?
In the regime of strong diffusion resistance, the rate (thus the effectiveness factor) varies inversely
proportional to the catalyst pellet size. So, Increase in pellet size will decrease the value of effectiveness
factor and vice-versa.

12. Can effectiveness factor of a catalyst be greater than one? Explain.

Yes. For exothermic reactions (only), where pore resistance just begins to intrude, the effectiveness factor
can become greater than unity; because heat is released and catalyst particles are hotter than the surrounding
fluid. (Hence, non-isothermal rate is always greater than the isothermal rate as measured by the bulk fluid

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 9 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

stream conditions).

13. ‘In a catalyst pellet, if the rate of diffusion through the pores is much higher than the rate of reaction,
then the value of Thiele modulus will approach unity’. Justify this statement.
By the definition, we know that the Thiele modulus is the ratio of the intrinsic chemical reaction rate in the
absence of mass transfer limitation to the rate of diffusion through the particle.
If the rate of diffusion through the pores (denominator term) is much higher than the rate of reaction
(numerator term), then the value of Thiele modulus will approach unity.

14. Write short notes on ‘Non-isothermal effectiveness factor’.

For an exothermic reaction, the temperature rises going into the pellet, the increase in rate of reaction
accompanying the temperature rise can more than offset the decease in ate due to drop in reactant
concentration. Then „η‟ values are greater than unity. While η > 1 increase the rate per pellet, and therefore
the production per unit mass of catalyst, there may also be some disadvantages. With larger „η‟ there will be
a large increase in temperature toward the center of the pellet, resulting in sintering and catalyst
deactivation. The desired product may be subject to further reaction of unwanted product or undesirable
side reactions may occur. If these reactions have higher activation energies than the desired reaction, the
rise in temperature would reduce selectivity.
For an endothermic reaction, there is a decrease in temperature and rate into the pellet. Hence „η‟ is always
less than unity. Since the rate decreases with drop in temperature, the effect of heat-transfer resistance is
diminished.

15. Explain ‘Wagner Modulus’.

It is the modulus which accounts the pore resistance effects on the solid catalyzed reaction, which is given
by MW = MT2 η = L2 (-rA||| / CA)obs / De
Where „MT‟ is the Thiele modulus, „η‟ is the effectiveness factor, „L‟ is the characteristic size of the
catalyst, (-rA|||) is the reaction rate based on the volume of the catalyst pellet, „CA‟ is the fluid concentration
at absolute conditions and „De‟ is the effective diffusivity.

16. When is it said that a reaction follows ideal mechanism in gas-solid catalytic reactions
If η → 1 („MT or Ф‟ is large enough) then it is said that the gas solid catalytic reaction follows ideal
mechanism. That is, this condition means that diffusion into the pellet is relatively slow, so that reaction
occurs before the reactant has diffused far into the pellet.

17. What is Channeling?

When the gas is not evenly distributed in the catalyst bed cross section and is concentrated in channels
through the catalyst bed, the phenomena is called as Channeling of fluidized bed.

18. Define Effective thermal conductivity. (NOV/DEC 2013)

The effective thermal conductivity (ke) is the energy transferred per unit of total area of pellet
(perpendicular to the direction of heat transfer).

19. Compare fixed and fluidized - bed reactors for gas-solid catalytic operation. (May 2017)
 It is not possible to use fine size catalyst particles in fixed bed reactor. This results in plugging and
high pressure drop. High pressure increases the operating cost.
It is possible to use fine size catalyst particles in fluidized bed reactor. Fine size particles provide
large interfacial / contact area.
 Catalyst regeneration can be a problem in fixed bed reactor. If the regeneration needs to be
frequently done, this problem will be bottleneck in operation.
Catalyst particle regeneration is quite easy in fluidized bed reactors. If the regeneration needs to be
done frequently, the catalyst particles can be entrained with the product stream, separated in
cyclone separator and then sent to the regenerator.

20. List some of the problems that would be encountered in the operation of a fluidized catalytic reactor.
In operation of a fluidized catalytic reactor, some difficulties can occur. They are;
 Slugging: When the gas passes up through the catalyst bed in the form of large gas bubbles, it is

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 10 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

called as Slugging of fluidized bed.

 Channeling: When the gas is not evenly distributed in the catalyst bed cross section and is
concentrated in channels through the catalyst bed, the phenomena is called as Channeling of
fluidized bed.
PART-B (Questions & Answers)
1. Discuss the effect of mass and heat transfer on the performance of industrial catalytic reactors. (May, 2016)

2. Explain the methods of determining the effective diffusivity.

3. For a first order catalytic reactions using rectangular catalyst particle develop expression for effectiveness
factor and theile modulus. (May 2017)

4. Show that the Effectiveness factor (η) for a first order reaction in an isothermal spherical catalyst pellet is
given by

Where „Φ‟ is the Thiele modulus. (Dec 2017)

5. A first order irreversible reaction takes place in a solid catalyst. Considering a single straight pore
(cylindrical or slab shaped) in the catalyst particle, develop an expression for concentration profile of the
reactant in the pore and derive the expression for effectiveness factor for the same. State all assumptions
made.

6. Explain Effectiveness factor under Non-isothermal conditions.

7. Explain Effective Thermal conductivity and the effect of Pore volume on it.

8. A first order heterogeneous irreversible reaction A  R is taking place within a spherical catalyst pellet
which is plated throughout the pellet. The reactant concentration midway between the external surface and
the center of the pellet is equal to 1/10 of the concentration at the external surface. The concentration of the
reactant at the external surface is 0.001 gmol/lit. The pellet diameter is 2 x 10 -3 cm and the diffusion
coefficient is 0.1 cm2/s.
(i) What is the concentration of the reactant at a distance of 3 x 10-4 cm from the external pellet surface?
(ii) To what diameter should the pellet be reduced, if the effectiveness factor is to be 0.8?

9. Derive a mathematical equation for the design of a fixed bed (packed bed) catalytic reactor in which a first
order gas phase reaction A  R is carried out

10. Compare the packed bed reactor and fluidized bed reactor for a catalytic chemical reaction.

11. A first order catalytic reaction A  R is carried out in a packed bed reactor. The molal feed rate of the
reactant is 12.5 kmol/hr. The following data is available;

W (kg cat) 0.625 1.87 3.125 4.375 6.25 7.5 8.75

XA 0.058 0.139 0.213 0.288 0.381 0.440 0.493

Calculate the weight of the catalyst for 40% conversion in a packed bed reactor, if the molal feed
rate is increased to 125 kmol/hr.

UNIT-IV (GAS-SOLID NON-CATALYTIC REACTORS)

PART-A (Questions & Answers)

CO: CH6401.1 At the end of this unit students has ability

To understand Gas – Solid Non-Catalytic reactors and its Kinetics.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 11 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

1. Give the industrial importance of Gas-Solid non-catalytic reactions. (May 2017) (Dec 2017)
Gas-Solid non-catalytic reactions are employed in;
(Solids does not appreciably change in size during the reaction)
 Roasting of ores.
 The preparation of metals from their oxides in reducing atmospheres.
 The platting of metals.
 Reactions of carbonaceous materials.
(Reactions in which solids change in size)
 Manufacture of carbon disulfide [CS2 (gas)]
 Manufacture of sodium cyanide [NaCN (liquid)]
 Manufacture of sodium thio sulfate [Na2S2O3 (solution)]
 Dissolution reactions
 Attack of metal chips by acids
 Rusting of iron

2. Give two examples of an fluid-solid reaction in which the particles do not change their size on
reaction.
 Iron is prepared form crushed and sized magnetic ore in continuous-countercurrent, three stage,
fluidized bed reactors according to the reaction
Fe3O4 (s) + 4 H2 (g) → 3 Fe (s) + 4 H2O (g)
 With steam, water gas is obtained by the reactions
C (s) + H2O (g) → CO (g) + H2 (g)
C (s) + 2 H2O (g) → CO2 (g) +2 H2 (g)

3. Name the models used in gas-solid non-catalytic reactions. (NOV/DEC 2013)

For the Gas-Solid non-catalytic reactions, two idealized models are available;
(i) Progressive-conversion model [PCM]
(ii) Shrinking-core model [SCM]

4. Briefly explain the Progressive Conversion Model for the gas-solid non-catalytic reactions.
 Solid reactant is converted continuously and progressively throughout the particle.
 The reaction rates are different at different locations within the particle.
 This model does not match with the real situations.

5. Explain Progressive Conversion Model. [Dec 2012] (May 2017)

 Solid reactant is converted continuously and progressively throughout the particle.
 The reaction rates are different at different locations within the particle.
 This model does not match with the real situations.

6. In the ‘Shrinking Core Model’ for gas-solid non-catalytic reactions, explain the term ‘Shrinking
Core’.
Shrinking Core means, at any time, there exists an unreacted core of material which shrinks in size during
reaction.

7. Explain the mechanism of Shrinking Core Model. (May 2017)

 At any time there exists an unreacted core of material which shrinks in size during reaction.
 The reaction rate depends on the movement of unreacted core and the resistances involved in it.
 Most of the practical situations (burning of coal, wood, briquettes, etc.) show that this model
approximately matches with reality.

8. What are the limitations of Shrinking Core Model? (May 2015) (NOV/DEC 2014) (May June 2014)
It is the best simple representation for the majority of reacting gas-solid systems. However, there are two
broad exceptions to this statement;
 First, Slow reaction of a gas with a very porous solid will not fit to the reality.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 12 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

 Second, when solid is converted by the action of heat and without needing contact with gas – Such
as baking bread, roasting chickens are mouth watering examples of such reactions.

9. What are the advantages of FBR? (NOV/DEC 2013)

Uniform Particle Mixing: Due to the intrinsic fluid-like behavior of the solid material, fluidized beds do
not experience poor mixing as in packed beds. This complete mixing allows for a uniform product that can
often be hard to achieve in other reactor designs. The elimination of radial and axial concentration gradients
also allows for better fluid-solid contact, which is essential for reaction efficiency and quality.
Uniform Temperature Gradients: Many chemical reactions require the addition or removal of heat. Local
hot or cold spots within the reaction bed, often a problem in packed beds, are avoided in a fluidized
situation such as an FBR. In other reactor types, these local temperature differences, especially hotspots,
can result in product degradation. Thus FBRs are well suited to exothermic reactions. Researchers have also
learned that the bed-to-surface heat transfer coefficients for FBRs are high.
Ability to Operate Reactor in Continuous State: The fluidized bed nature of these reactors allows for the
ability to continuously withdraw product and introduce new reactants into the reaction vessel. Operating at
a continuous process state allows manufacturers to produce their various products more efficiently due to
the removal of startup conditions in batch processes.

10. Bring out the differences between ‘Progressive Conversion Model’ and ‘Shrinking Core Model’ used
in gas-solid non-catalytic reactions.
Progressive-conversion model:
 Solid reactant is converted continuously and progressively throughout the particle.
 The reaction rates are different at different locations within the particle.
 This model does not match with the real situations.
Shrinking-core model:
 At any time there exists an unreacted core of material which shrinks in size during reaction.
 The reaction rate depends on the movement of unreacted core and the resistances involved in it.
 Most of the practical situations (burning of coal, wood, briquettes, etc.) show that this model
approximately matches with reality.

11. Explain the characteristics of Fluidized bed reactor. [Dec 2012] (May 2017)
A fluidized bed reactor (FBR) is a type of reactor device that can be used to carry out a variety of
multiphase chemical reactions. In this type of reactor, a fluid (gas or liquid) is passed through a granular
solid material (usually a catalyst possibly shaped as tiny spheres) at high enough velocities to suspend the
solid and cause it to behave as though it were a fluid. This process, known as fluidization, imparts many
important advantages to the FBR. As a result, the fluidized bed reactor is now used in many industrial
applications.
Today fluidized bed reactors are still used to produce gasoline and other fuels, along with many other
chemicals. Many industrially produced polymers are made using FBR technology, such as rubber, vinyl
chloride, polyethylene, styrenes, and polypropylene. Various utilities also use FBR's for coal gasification,
nuclear power plants, and water and waste treatment settings. Used in these applications, fluidized bed
reactors allow for a cleaner, more efficient process than previous standard reactor technologies.

12. What are the three rate controlling steps assumed in the Shrinking Core Model for gas-solid non-
catalytic reactions?
The three rate controlling steps assumed in the Shrinking Core Model for gas-solid non-catalytic reactions
are;
 Diffusion of gaseous reactant A through the film surrounding the particle to the surface of the solid.
 Penetration and diffusion of A through the blanket of ash to the surface of the unreacted core.
 Reaction of gaseous A with solid at this reaction surface.

13. State all the assumptions made in the Shrinking Core Model used for gas-solid non-catalytic
reactions.
The assumptions made in the Shrinking Core Model used for gas-solid non-catalytic reactions are;
 The pellet retains its shape during reaction.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 13 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

 There is no gaseous region between the pellet and the product layer.
 The temperature is uniform throughout the heterogeneous region.
 The densities of the porous product and the reactant (solid) are the same, so that the total radius of
the pellet does not change with time.

14. Explain the resistances that would encountered during the burning of coal.
The resistance that would be encountered during the burning of coal are;

 Diffusion resistance offered by the gas film surrounding the surface of the solid (coal) particle.
 Diffusion resistance offered by the blanket of ash surrounding the unreacted core of the (coal)
particle.
 Reaction resistance on the surface of the unreacted core (coal).

15. Explain how the rate determining step is calculated in gas-solid non-catalytic reactions.

The kinetic runs with different sizes of particles can distinguish between reactions in the chemical and
physical steps control (for gas-solid non-catalytic reactions) as,
t  R1.5 to 2.0 for film diffusion controlling
t  R2 for ash layer diffusion controlling
tR chemical reaction controlling.

16. In a gas-solid non-catalytic reaction, a 4mm solid is 7/8th converted. What is the diameter of the
shrinking core?
Solution: Given D = 4 mm and XB = 7/8 or 0.875.
We know, the fraction unconverted is 1 – xB = (dc/D)3
Where „dc‟ & „D‟ are the diameters of the unreacted (shrinking) core and the original diameter of the solid
particle.
Substituting the given data into the above equation, we get
1 – 0.875 = (dc/4)3
On solving the above, we get dc = 2 mm

17. Sketch the concentration profile for the gas-solid non-catalytic reaction in which the resistance
through the ash layer is rate controlling.

18. Find the rate controlling mechanism, form the following data
dP, cm XB t, hr
1 0.3 2
1 0.75 5
Solution: Since „dp‟ is same for the two given data‟s, we try to find the rate controlling mechanism by

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 14 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

considering the time„t‟ and conversion „XB‟.

By assuming G-film surrounding the particles is rate controlling, we have
t/T = XB Where „T‟ is the time for complete conversion.
Sub. the given first data into the above, we get T1 = 2/0.3 = 6.6667 hr
Sub. the given second data into the above, we get T2 = 5/0.75 = 6.6667 hr
Since T1 = T2, our assumption is correct.
That is, G-film surrounding the particles controls this reaction.

19. A gas-solid non-catalytic reaction taking place in a constant environment. It was found that the time
for complete conversion of 2mm particle is four times the time for complete conversion of 1mm
particle. What resistance is rate controlling?
Solution: Given D1 = 1mm, D2 = 2 mm and T2 = 4 T1.
From the given data, it was observed that
(T2 / T1) = (D2 / D1)2 or (R2 / R1)2
Or T α R2.
Thus, Diffusion through ash layer controls this reaction.

20. State how to reduce the gas film resistance for non-catalytic chemical reaction.
By increasing the mass transfer coefficient (kg), the gas film resistance (1/kg) can be reduced for non-
catalytic chemical reaction.

PART-B (Questions & Answers)

1. Obtain rate equation for non-catalytic chemical reaction when chemical reaction is controlling the rate of
reaction. (May 2016)

2. Develop the design expression for fluidized bed reactor with particle size for non-catalytic chemical
reaction. (May 2016)

3. Derive an expression for shrinking core model in a gas-solid non catalytic reaction. (May 2015) (Dec 2017)

4. Discuss about the mechanism of heterogeneous non catalytic gas-solid system. (May 2015)

5. (i) Discuss the models used for studying the kinetics of non-catalytic reactions. (May 2017)
(ii) Derive the conversion vs. time relationship when gas film controls the reaction for spherical particles of
unchanging size according to unreacted core model.

6. Derive the relationship between Time and Conversion when Diffusion through Ash layer controls a Fluid-
Solid reaction as per the Shrinking core model. Also, show that the time „τ‟ required for complete burning
of the solid particle is proportional to the square of the radius „R‟

7. Obtain an expression for the global rate of reaction and Conversion vs. Time for the reaction A (g) + b B
(s)  E (g) + F (s) considering a spherical pellet and Shrinking core model, when Chemical reaction
controlling this Gas-Solid non-catalytic reaction.

8. (i) Explain in detail the determination of rate controlling step for non-catalytic reaction. (May 2017)
(ii) A batch of solids of uniform size is treated by gas in a uniform environment. Solid is converted to give a
non-flaking product according to the shrinking core model. Conversion is about 7/8 for a reaction time of 1
hour and conversion is complete in two hours. What mechanism is rate controlling?

9. Two small samples of solids are introduced into a constant environment oven and kept there for one hour.
Under these conditions, 4mm particles are 58% converted and 2mm particles are 87.5% converted.
(i) Find the rate controlling mechanism for the conversion of solids.
(ii) Find the time needed for complete conversion of 1mm particles.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 15 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

10. A feed consisting of 30% of 50µm, 40% of 100µm, and 30% of 200µm particles is to be fed continuously in
a thin layer onto a moving grate cross-current to a flow of reactant gas. For the planned operating conditions
the time required for complete conversion is 5, 10, and 20 minutes for the three sizes of particles. Find the
conversion of solids for a mean residence time of 8 minutes in the reactor.

11. Solids of unchanging size R = 0.5mm are reacted with gas in a steady flow bench scale fluidized reactor
with the following result.
Fe = 15gm/sec W = 1150gm XB = 0.78
Also the conversion is strongly temperature sensitive suggesting that the reaction step is rate controlling.
Design a commercial sized fluidized bed reactor to treat 5 metric tons/hr of solid feed of size R = 0.5mm to
95% conversion

12. A fluidized bed reactor is operating at steady state with a solid feed of varying size distribution as
mentioned below;
50µm – 20%, 80µm – 20%, 100µm – 25%, 150µm – 15% and 200µm – 20%.
The fluidizing gas phase reactant has uniform composition. The time for complete conversion is 4, 8, 12, 16
and 19 minutes respectively of the above mentioned particles. The feed rate is 1.3 kg/min and the reactor
contains 15 kg of solids. Assuming the solids are hard and remain unchanged in size & weight and also that
chemical reaction is rate controlling, calculate the average fractional conversion of the solid particles.

UNIT-V (GAS-LIQUID REACTORS)

PART-A (Questions & Answers)

CO: CH6401.1 At the end of this unit students has ability

To learn about Gas-liquid reactions, Absorption combined with chemical reactions

1. When the heterogeneous fluid-fluid reactions take place?

Heterogeneous fluid-fluid reactions are made to take place for one of the three reasons;

 The product of reaction may be a desired material.

 To facilitate the removal of an unwanted component from a fluid.
 To obtain a vastly improved product distribution.

2. Give the importance of equilibrium solubility in gas-liquid operations.

The solubility of the reacting components will limit their movement from one phase to other. This factor
will certainly influence the form of the rate equation since it will determine whether the reaction takes place
in one or both phases.

3. Define Enhancement factor. (NOV/DEC 2014) (May 2017)

The liquid enhancement factor (E) is defined as the ratio of rate of take up of gaseous „A‟ when reaction
occurs to the rate of take up of gaseous „A‟ for straight mass transfer, at same C Ai, CA, CBi, CB in the two
cases. Or Enhancement factor E is defined as the ratio between the Sherwood number with chemical
reaction and that without reaction.

4. ‘Enhancement factor is always greater than or equal to one’. Justify this statement.
Since the rate of take up of „A‟ when reaction occurs is greater than or equal to the rate of take up of „A‟ for
straight mass transfer, the enhancement factor is always greater than or equal to one.

5. Define Hatta number. (NOV/DEC 2013)

Hatta number (MH) is defined as the square root of the ratio of maximum possible conversion in the liquid
film to maximum diffusional transport through the liquid film.

6. Explain the significance of Hatta number.

The significance of Hatta number (MH) is;
 If MH>2, reaction occurs in the liquid film and are fast enough.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 16 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

 If 0.02 < MH < 2, reaction is influenced by all the resistances.

 If MH < 0.02, reactions are infinitely slow.

7. Does the enhancement factor decrease or increase with Hatta number? Explain.
Yes, Enhancement factor (E) decrease or increases with Hatta number (M H). Because the evaluation of „E‟
depends on two quantities;
 The enhancement factor for an infinitely fast reaction (Ei)
 Maximum possible conversion in the film compared with maximum transport through the film
(MH2).

8. How do you classify the kinetic regimes in gas-liquid reactions?
The classification of kinetic regimes in a Gas-Liquid reaction based on the relative rates of reaction and
mass transfer. According to two-film theory, the reaction may occur in liquid film or in both liquid film and
main body of liquid or in main body of liquid.
Based on the above three factors of reactions, we have eight special cases from infinitely fast to slow
reaction as;
 Instantaneous reaction - with low Cliquid & high Cliquid
 Fast reaction - with low Cliquid & high Cliquid
 Intermediate rate with reaction in the film and in the main body of the liquid.
 Slow reaction - with & without mass transfer resistance.

9. What do you mean by instantaneous reactions in the gas-liquid operations?

In instantaneous reactions, the absorbing component of the gas and the liquid phase reactant can not co-
exist in the same region. In such reactions, the concentration of the liquid phase reactant at the gas-liquid
interface is zero.

10. What do you mean by slow reactions in the gas-liquid operations?

In slow reactions, occurs in the main body of the liquid, mass transfer resistance is negligible and the
composition of liquid phase and gas phase reactants are uniform. Thus, the rate is determined by chemical
kinetics alone.
11. Give examples for absorption with chemical reaction. (NOV/DEC 2013) (NOV/DEC 2014)(May 2017)

12. In a gas-liquid reaction, it was observed that the reaction occurs on a plane with in the liquid film. Is
the reaction slow, fast or instantaneous? Explain.
The reaction is either instantaneous of fast, with low concentration of liquid.
 For instantaneous reaction, the reaction plane exists where the two reactants interact in the liquid

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 17 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

film.
 For fast reactions, the reaction zone exists where the two reactants completely reacted in the liquid
film

13. What are the advantages of surface renewal theory?

The biggest advantage arises from the square root dependence on the diffusion coefficient. This allows one
to better predict the behavior of various solutes with different diffusion coefficients based on measured
behavior of one particular solute. The square root dependence gives more accurate prediction than the linear
dependence found with the two-film model. Recognize however that surface renewal is really most accurate
when surface renewal rates are high.

14. Brief the mechanism of Surface renewal theory. (May 2015) & [Dec 2012]

This approach tries to apply the mathematics of the penetration theory to be more plausible physical picture.
The liquid is pictured as two regions, a large well mixed bulk and an interfacial region that is renewed so
fast that it behaves as a thick film. The surface renewal theory is caused by liquid flow.

15. What are the various resistances involved in developing rate equations for gas-liquid reactions?
The various resistances involved in developing rate equations for gas-liquid reactions are;
 Mass transfer resistances, to bring the reactants together.
 The resistance of the chemical reaction step.

16. Sketch the concentration profile for an instantaneous gas-liquid non-catalytic reaction.

17. Write short notes on slurry reactors.

 A slurry reactor is a multiphase flow reactor in which reactant gas is bubbled through a solution
containing solid catalyst particles. The solution may be either a reactant or a product or an inert.
 Slurry reactors may be operated in a batch or continuous mode. One of the main advantages of
slurry reactors is that temperature control and heat recovery are easily achieved. In addition,
constant overall catalytic activity can be maintained by the addition of small amounts of catalyst
with each reuse during batch operation or with constant feeding during continuous operation.
 These reactors are widely used in hydrogenation of fatty acids over a supported nickel catalyst,
hydro-formation of CO with high-molecular-weight olefins on either a cobalt or ruthenium complex
bound to polymers, etc.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 18 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

18. What are the advantages of slurry reactors over fixed beds?
The advantages of slurry reactors over fixed beds are
a. It usually has a higher rate
b. It holds good for fast reactions on porous catalyst
Note: Slurry reactors can use very fine particles, and this lead to problems of separating catalyst from
liquid. (Only disadvantage of slurry reactor)

19. Explain Film penetration theory. (May 2015), [Dec 2012] (May/June 2014)

The penetration theory for mass transfer. Here the interfacial region is imagined to be very thick
continuously generated by flow. Mass transfer now involves diffusion in to this film. In this and other
theories the interfacial concentration in the liquid is assumed to be in equilibrium with that in the gas

20. Write short notes on trickle bed reactors.

c. A trickle bed reactor is a three-phase version in which gas and liquid reactants are brought into
contact with solid catalyst particles.
d. In this gas and liquid flow counter-currently downward over a fixed-bed of catalyst particles
contained in a tubular reactor.
e. These reactors are widely used for hydro-desulphurization of liquid petroleum fractions and hydro-
treating of lubricating oils.

21. List the types of flow regime that are possible in trickle bed reactors.
In trickle bed reactor, four types of flow regimes are possible;
 Trickle flow regime: In this regime, gas flow is continuous.
 Dispersed bubble regime: In this regime, liquid phase is continuous and the gas moves into the
bubbles.
 Spray regime: In this regime, gas flow rate is high while liquid rate is low. Liquid falls in droplets
through the gas phase.
 Pulsed flow regime: In this regime, flow rates of both gas and liquid are high

PART-B (Questions & Answers)

1. Derive a rate equation for an instantaneous reaction of any order between A and B, fluid-fluid reaction A
(gas ) + bB (liq) → product. And sketch the concentration profiles assuming a two-film theory. (May 2016)

2. Describe briefly on different reactors available for various types of gas-liquid reaction. (May 2016)

3. i) What are the reaction steps in a slurry reactor? ( May 2015)

ii) Write a note on the parameters based on which a good contactor for a Gas-Liquid solid catalyzed
reaction is selected.
iii) What are the parameters to be considered while selecting a fluid-fluid reactor?

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 19 Chemical Engineering

 CH6701 Chemical Reaction Engineering - II 2018-2019

4. i) What is Enhancement factor? (May 2015)

ii) Write a note on Absorption with slow and instantaneous reactions.

5. Consider the Gas-Liquid Non-catalytic reaction A (g) + b B (l)  Products. Derive the global rate equation
assuming the reaction to be instantaneous and for the reaction taking place on
(i) Gas-Liquid interface.
(ii) A plane located in the Liquid film.

6. Derive the rate equation for fluid-fluid reaction for the following cases;
(i) Fast reaction in Liquid film with Low CB
(ii) Fast reaction in Liquid film with High CB
Sketch the concentration profiles of the reactants for these reactions.

7. Derive the rate equation for fluid-fluid reaction for the following cases; (May 2017)
(i) Intermediate reaction in the film and in the main body of the liquid.
(ii) Slow reaction in the main body of liquid with film resistance.

8. Discuss in detail the Design procedure (PBR) for the reaction A (g) + b B (l)  Products with Moderately
to Infinitely fast rate in which the phases are being Counter-current Plug flow.

9. Discuss the various design equation available for the absorber, for various type reaction with various
contacting pattern.

10. Explain the three models of gas liquid reactions with the expression for mass transfer coefficient in each of
the models(Dec 2017)

11. (i) What are the various equipments used in Fluid-Fluid contacting with reaction?
(ii) Discuss in detail about Slurry reaction kinetics.

12. The concentration of an undesirable impurity „A‟ in air is to be reduced from 0.10% to 0.02% by absorption
in pure water. Find the height of tower required for counter current operations. Data: For consistency, units
are given in moles, meters, and hours;
 For the packing used,
 kA(g) a = 32,000 mol/hr-m3-atm
 kA(l) a = 0.1 hr-1
 The solubility of A in water, HA = 125 x 10-6 atm-m3/mol
 Liquid mass flow rate, L = 7 X 1015 mol/hr-m2
 Gas flow rate, G = 1 X 1015 mol/hr-m2 at  = 1 atm
 Molar density of liquid, CT = 56,000 mol/m3

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 20 Chemical Engineering