Methanol is synthesized from carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a catalytic reactor. The fresh feed to the process contains 32.0 mol% CO, 64.0 mol% H2 and 4.00 mol% N2. This stream is mixed with a recycle stream in a ratio of 7.00 mol recycle /1 mol fresh feed to produce the feed to the reactor, which contains 12.0 mol% N2. The reactor effluent goes to a condenser from which two streams emerge: a liquid product stream containing essentially all of the methanol formed in the reactor, and a gas stream containing all of the CO, H2, and N2 leaving the reactor. The gas stream is split into two fractions; one is removed from the process as a purge stream, and the other is the recycle stream that combines with the fresh feed to the reactor. For a methanol production rate of 100.0 mol/h, calculate the fresh feed rate (mol/h), the molar flow rate and composition of the purge gas, and the overall and single-pass conversions. Fresh feed rate: i mol/h Purge rate: i mol/h mol fraction CO in purge: i mol fraction N2 in purge: i Overall CO conversion: i % Single-pass CO conversion: i %
Methanol is synthesized from carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a catalytic reactor. The fresh feed to the process contains 32.0 mol% CO, 64.0 mol% H2 and 4.00 mol% N2. This stream is mixed with a recycle stream in a ratio of 7.00 mol recycle /1 mol fresh feed to produce the feed to the reactor, which contains 12.0 mol% N2. The reactor effluent goes to a condenser from which two streams emerge: a liquid product stream containing essentially all of the methanol formed in the reactor, and a gas stream containing all of the CO, H2, and N2 leaving the reactor. The gas stream is split into two fractions; one is removed from the process as a purge stream, and the other is the recycle stream that combines with the fresh feed to the reactor. For a methanol production rate of 100.0 mol/h, calculate the fresh feed rate (mol/h), the molar flow rate and composition of the purge gas, and the overall and single-pass conversions. Fresh feed rate: i mol/h Purge rate: i mol/h mol fraction CO in purge: i mol fraction N2 in purge: i Overall CO conversion: i % Single-pass CO conversion: i %
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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Transcribed Image Text:**Methanol Production Process**
Methanol is synthesized from carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂) in a catalytic reactor.
**Process Description:**
- **Feed Composition:** The fresh feed to the process consists of 32.0 mol% CO, 64.0 mol% H₂, and 4.00 mol% nitrogen (N₂). This feed is combined with a recycle stream at a ratio of 7.00 mol recycle per 1 mol fresh feed to form the reactor feed, which contains 12.0 mol% N₂.
- **Reaction System:** The reactor effluent is directed to a condenser, separating into two streams: a liquid product stream containing the synthesized methanol and a gas stream comprising CO, H₂, and N₂ that exits the reactor.
- **Gas Stream Division:** The gas stream is divided into two parts—one is removed as a purge stream, and the other is recycled back to the reactor to combine with the fresh feed.
**Calculations Required:**
- Determine the fresh feed rate (mol/h).
- Calculate the purge rate (mol/h).
- Find the molar fractions of CO and N₂ in the purge stream.
- Compute the overall CO conversion percentage.
- Determine the single-pass CO conversion percentage.
**Input Fields for Calculation:**
- Fresh feed rate: ______ mol/h
- Purge rate: ______ mol/h
- Mol fraction CO in purge: ______
- Mol fraction N₂ in purge: ______
- Overall CO conversion: ______ %
- Single-pass CO conversion: ______ %
This information helps optimize the methanol production process, ensuring efficient use of resources and maximal production rates.
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