Mass & Energy Balance Question Help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mass and energy balance problem involving combustion and an ethanol dehydration reaction. Participants seek assistance with calculations related to gas compositions, mass flow rates, and heat addition rates in chemical processes.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a combustion problem involving the calculation of flue gas composition and mass flow rate of air with given gas compositions and excess air.
  • The same participant outlines their calculations for the combustion of various components, including CO, CO2, H2, CH4, O2, and N2, but expresses uncertainty about the accuracy of their percentages.
  • Another participant confirms they have resolved the first question but still requires assistance with the second question regarding the ethanol dehydration reaction.
  • A third participant provides clarification on the nature of endothermic reactions, explaining the concept of heat absorption and the significance of heat capacities and enthalpy changes in the context of the reaction.
  • This participant also notes their intention to provide further assistance but indicates fatigue, suggesting a limit to their engagement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the accuracy of the calculations presented, and there remains uncertainty regarding the second question about the ethanol dehydration reaction.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their calculations and the implications of the heat capacities and heat of reaction provided in the problem statement.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals studying chemical engineering, thermodynamics, or related fields may find this discussion relevant for understanding mass and energy balance calculations in chemical processes.

zombieguy
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I would appretiate help with the following 2 questions, I think I've got must of the first one right (Or went off t a tangent) but I don't now where to start on the second question

1a) Calculate the flue gas composition if 100 kmol h-1 of a gas whose composition is given below are burnt with 10% excess air.
b) Calculate the mass flowrate of air used
CO-12.6%
CO2-2.6%
H2-41.6%
CH4-26.6%
O2-1.9%
N214.7%

2) Ethanol dehydration reaction is carried out in a reactor with the feed entering at 300oC
C2H5OH --> CH3CHO + H2
This is an endothermic reaction. The feed contain 90% mole % ethanol and the balance acetaldehyde. Heat is added to keep the temprature from dropping too rapidly. With a fraction of 30% and outlet temprature of 100oC.
Calculate the heat addition rate per 253 mol of the feed gas.
Below are the heat capacity data (KJ/mol-C)
Cp [C2H5OH] = 0.11
Cp [CH3CHO] = 0.08
Cp [ H2] = 0.029
Heat of reaction = 68.95 J

Take Reference Temprature = 25oCHere my Working out for question 1:
12.6CO2+6.3O2 -> 12.6CO2
41.6H2+20.8O2 -> 41.6H2O
26.6CH4+53.2O2 -> 26.6CO2+53.2H2O

Total CO2= 12.6+2.6+26.6=41.8
Total H2O=41.6+53.2=94.8
Total O2=(6.3+20.8+53.2)X1.1+1.9=90.23
Total N2=((79/21)X88.33)+14.7=346.99

After that i worked out the %'s eg. %CO2(41.8/573.82)X100=7.3% (I'd put all of my % up but I'm not sure I'm right upto this point at best)

1b) mrXmoles=mass
O2, 32X88.33=2826.56
N2, 28X332.3=9304.04
Total=12130.65
 
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I've sorted out question 1 but I still need help with question 2.
Any help still welcome.
 
Help with the language used would also be helpful, thank you
 
Ethanol dehydration means that H2 is being removed from ethanol, which is stated in the reaction.

So, do you know the difference between an endothermic and an exothermic reaction?
One type of reaction "absorbs heat" and the other "gives off heat," which means that one type of reaction will feel cold and one will feel hot. Which one is which?

Well from the question you can gather that an endothermic reaction will "absorb heat" and so it makes the ambient cool. Every material has some ability to store heat: this is the heat capacity. Here you have been given specific heat capacities (note the units) which is the amount of heat required to raise one mole of substance one degree C. The heat of reaction is the enthalpy change that occurs during the reaction (on a molar basis).

I was planning on continuing, but I'm pretty tired.. hope this helps you.. I didn't check your work for #1 btw.
 

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