In the common process for the manufacture of nitric acid, sodium nitrate is treated with aq. sulphuric acid containing 95% H2SO4. In order that the resulting "niter cake" may be fluid; it is desirable to use sufficient acid so that there will be 34% H2SO4 by wt in the final cake. This excess H2SO4 will actually be in combination with the Na2SO4 in the cake, forming NaHSO4, although for purposes of computation it may be assumed to be free acid. The cake will contain 1.5% water and the reaction will go to completion, but 2% of the HNO3 formed will remain in the cake. Assume that the NaNO3 used is dry and pure. Calculate per 100 kg of NaNO3 charged: (a) wt and % composition of the niter cake (b) wt of aqueous acid to be used (c) wt of water vapor and nitric acid distilled from the niter cake.

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
icon
Related questions
Question

In the common process for the manufacture of nitric acid, sodium nitrate is treated with aq. sulphuric acid containing 95% H2SO4. In order that the resulting "niter cake" may be fluid; it is desirable to use sufficient acid so that there will be 34% H2SO4 by wt in the final cake. This excess H2SO4 will actually be in combination with the Na2SO4 in the cake, forming NaHSO4, although for purposes of computation it may be assumed to be free acid. The cake will contain 1.5% water and the reaction will go to completion, but 2% of the HNO3 formed will remain in the cake. Assume that the NaNO3 used is dry and pure. Calculate per 100 kg of NaNO3 charged:

(a) wt and % composition of the niter cake
(b) wt of aqueous acid to be used
(c) wt of water vapor and nitric acid distilled from the niter cake.

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 4 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
DOF, Stream analysis and calculations
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemical-engineering and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynami…
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynami…
Chemical Engineering
ISBN:
9781259696527
Author:
J.M. Smith Termodinamica en ingenieria quimica, Hendrick C Van Ness, Michael Abbott, Mark Swihart
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemical Engineering
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY
Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering (5th Ed…
Elements of Chemical Reaction Engineering (5th Ed…
Chemical Engineering
ISBN:
9780133887518
Author:
H. Scott Fogler
Publisher:
Prentice Hall
Process Dynamics and Control, 4e
Process Dynamics and Control, 4e
Chemical Engineering
ISBN:
9781119285915
Author:
Seborg
Publisher:
WILEY
Industrial Plastics: Theory and Applications
Industrial Plastics: Theory and Applications
Chemical Engineering
ISBN:
9781285061238
Author:
Lokensgard, Erik
Publisher:
Delmar Cengage Learning
Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering
Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
ISBN:
9780072848236
Author:
Warren McCabe, Julian C. Smith, Peter Harriott
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Companies, The