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) using a solid catalyst in a fixed bed reactor: 2C2H4 + O2 è 2C2H4O (1) Unfortunately, a portion of the ethylene reacts completely to CO2 and H2O: C2H4 + 3O2 è 2CO2 + 2H2O (2) The product gas leaving a fixed bed ethylene oxide reactor has the following water free composition: 20.5% C2H4O, 72.7 % N2, 2.3 % O2, and 4.5% CO2. Determine the percent excess air used in the reactor, based on the desired reaction (1) and the mass of ethylene feed (in lbs/hr) required to produce 100,000 tons/year of ethylene oxide.

Given that, Reaction 1: 2C2H4 + O2 → 2C2H4OReaction 2: C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O The composition…

Answered: Ethylene oxide (C2H4O) is a high volume…

Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

8th Edition

ISBN:9781259696527

Author:J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart

Publisher:J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart

Chapter1: Introduction

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1.1P

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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) using a solid catalyst in a fixed bed reactor:

2C₂H₄ + O2 è 2C₂H₄O (1)

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

C₂H₄ + 3O₂ è 2CO₂ + 2H₂O (2)

The product gas leaving a fixed bed ethylene oxide reactor has the following water free composition: 20.5% C₂H₄O, 72.7 % N₂, 2.3 % O₂, and 4.5% CO₂. Determine the percent excess air used in the reactor, based on the desired reaction (1) and the mass of ethylene feed (in lbs/hr) required to produce 100,000 tons/year of ethylene oxide.

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