Task 3 In another separate kinetic study conducted for the alkylation of ethylene process at a similar temperature value, it was found that the main reaction happens based on elementary rate law. In this study however, it was observed that the forward reaction for the side reaction is quite significant (the reverse reaction is still negligible). Discuss your strategies to ensure high selectivity for the desired product. Sketch any relevant plots that can highlight your strategies. Additional Data: 1) Inlet molar flow rate of toluene = 800 mol/hour 2) Inlet molar flow rate of hydrogen = 3200 mol/hour 3) Inlet volumetric flow rate = 2200 m3/hour (toluene and ethylene are mixed in a mixer before entering the reactor) 4) Inert is not present in the inlet stream.
Question Statement
Ethylbenzene is a widely used industrial chemical. It is often found in other manufactured products such as pesticides, inks, synthetic rubbers, paints, and tobacco products. Global consumption of ethylbenzene is estimated to grow up to 5% per year for the next 5 years, with the escalation of growth mainly contributed by the recovery process from the steep decline due to the impact of Covid-19 global pandemic circa 2020. It is expected that the global ethylbenzene market will reach 40.2 million tons by 2027. Due to the market potential of ethylbenzene, a chemical company, ChemMaju Sdn. Bhd. is planning to expand its production by producing ethylbenzene as one of its
major products.
At industrial scale, ethylbenzene is produced via various production routes. The most widely known route is the alkylation of ethylene (AEO). Since alkylation of ethylene is an established process, as a beginner in ethylbenzene production in Malaysia, ChemMaju Sdn. Bhd. is planning to produce ethylbenzene via this route. The production capacity is expected to be around 40, 000 MTPA of ethylbenzene. Although AEO is an established process, it has a drawback in which the production of ethylbenzene is accompanied by the production of styrene as an undesired product:
C6H5CH3 + 2 C2H4 → C6H5C2H5 + C3H6 (Equation 1 - Main reaction)
C6H5C2H5 ↔ C8H8 + H2 (Equation 2 - Side reaction)
As the lead process engineer in ChemMaju Sdn. Bhd., you are given the task to design of an ethylbenzene production plant. Your first step is to lead your team in designing the reactor for the alkylation of ethylene process. In order to save cost, you proposed to use a non-catalytic, adiabatic flow reactor. Since the reaction is non-catalytic, the process should be a thermal process to ensure its
Task 3
In another separate kinetic study conducted for the alkylation of ethylene process at a similar temperature value, it was found that the main reaction happens based on elementary rate law. In this study however, it was observed that the forward reaction for the side reaction is quite significant (the reverse reaction is still negligible). Discuss your strategies to ensure high selectivity for the desired product. Sketch any relevant plots that can highlight your strategies.
Additional Data:
1) Inlet molar flow rate of toluene = 800 mol/hour
2) Inlet molar flow rate of hydrogen = 3200 mol/hour
3) Inlet volumetric flow rate = 2200 m3/hour (toluene and ethylene are mixed in a mixer before entering the reactor)
4) Inert is not present in the inlet stream.
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