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Che 201 - Che Fundamentals Class Problem 5: O H Oh CH H Co

The document describes a process for producing methanol via the catalytic reaction of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. A reactor achieves 10% single-pass conversion of hydrogen to methanol, while recycling unreacted gases back to the reactor raises the overall conversion to 80%. A purge stream is required to prevent a buildup of inert gases that would inhibit the reaction. The problem asks for calculations to determine feed stream and purge stream flow rates and compositions based on the given conversion percentages and process diagram.

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22 views

Che 201 - Che Fundamentals Class Problem 5: O H Oh CH H Co

The document describes a process for producing methanol via the catalytic reaction of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. A reactor achieves 10% single-pass conversion of hydrogen to methanol, while recycling unreacted gases back to the reactor raises the overall conversion to 80%. A purge stream is required to prevent a buildup of inert gases that would inhibit the reaction. The problem asks for calculations to determine feed stream and purge stream flow rates and compositions based on the given conversion percentages and process diagram.

Uploaded by

kirbyhuber37_7316115
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ChE 201 ChE Fundamentals

Class Problem 5
03-11-15
One process for the production of methanol is the catalytic reaction of carbon dioxide and
hydrogen. The chemical reaction is given by:
CO2 3H 2 CH 3 OH H 2 O
The diagram for the process is shown below. It is desired to produce 1000 mol/hr of
methanol. The single pass conversion of the reactor is 10% while the overall conversion
is 80% (both in terms of hydrogen). Note, carbon dioxide in the fresh feed is in 20%
excess and all of the product (methanol) and byproduct (water) is removed in the
condenser.
a) Why is the recycle stream included in the design?
b) What is the purpose of the purge stream? In other words, why would
this design not work without the purge stream?
c) List two reasons (with supporting explanation) why the single pass
conversion might be so low.
d) Determine the flow rate and composition of the feed stream (F).
e) Determine the flow rate and composition of the purge stream (P).
f) What percentage of the flow leaving the condenser enters the purge
stream?
g) Determine the recycle ratio (R/F).

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