Chapter 9, Problem 9.25P

Formaldehyde is produced commercially by the catalytic oxidation of methanol. In a side reaction, methanol is oxidized to CO₂.

   $\begin{array}{l}C{H}_{3}OH+O_2\to C{H}_{2}O+H_{2}O\\ C{H}_{3}OH+O_2\to C{O}_2+2H_{2}O\end{array}$

A mixture containing 55.6 mole% methanol and the balance oxygen enters a reactor at 350°C and 1 atm at a rate of 4.60 × 10⁴L/s. The reaction products emerge at the same temperature and pressure at a rate of 6.26 × 10⁴L/s. An analysis of the products yields a molar composition of 36.7% CH₂O,4.1% CO₂, 14.3% O₂. and 44.9% H₂O. The required reactor cooling rate is calculated to be 1.05 × 10⁵kW.

1. Is the calculated cooling rate correct for the given stream data?
2. The stream data cannot be correct. Prove it.