Hard Core Shrinking Core.

1) A batch of solid spherical particles of uniform size reacts with a gas under conditions which
produce a coke-like product. Determine the rate controlling mechanism if the conversion is
87.5% after one hour and is complete after two hours. Assume that the constant size,
unreacted core model is valid.
2) A spherical iron cannon ball had a circumference of 30 inches and was placed in a damp
sheltered position within the Tower of London in 1878. Weathering, rusting and the once-adecade scrub resulted in the circumference being 29.75 inches in 1978. By assuming the
destruction process is diffusion controlled, estimate the year when the cannon ball will
disappear, (ignoring possible theft by an undergraduate).

3) Calculate the time required for the total combustion of carbon in a gas stream containing 8%
oxygen. The gas velocity is high enough to assume zero gas-film resistance. (Perform a
dimensional analysis to ensure you have the correct answer)
RP = 5 mm
B = 2200 kg/m3
k = 0.2 m/s
T = 900 C
P = 1.0 atm
4) The following data was obtained for the reaction of spherical particles of unchanging size in a
constant environment oven. The circulation velocity of the gas in the oven is high.
4 mm particles: 58.0% conversion after 60 min
2 mm particles: 87.5% conversion after 60 min
What mechanism controls the overall rate of reaction and what reaction time is necessary to
complete conversion of 1 mm particles?

5) A spherical piece of copper was put in a hydrochloric acid bath of constant acid
concentration which reacted via the following equation:
Cu(s) + 2HCl(aq) CuCl2(aq) + H2(g)
The diameter of the copper particle was measured over time to obtain the following data:
Diameter (mm)
Time (mins)
12.5
0
10.2
44
7.6
94
5.1
143
2.5
193
0
240
Confirm that the dissolution is reaction controlled with first order kinetics and determine the
time it will take a 20 mm diameter piece of the metal, to dissolve under the same conditions
of constants and acid concentration. Would agitation alter the rate of dissolution?

6) When spherical particles of zinc sulphide with the constant diameter of 2000 m are roasted
at 900 C and 1.0 atm in a gas stream containing 10% oxygen they undergo the reaction:
By assuming the shrinking core model is applicable and that the gas film resistance is
negligible, estimate
a) The minimum time required for complete reaction
b) The relative resistance of the zinc oxide layer
What would be the effect of reducing the particle diameter to 100 m?
Data
Density of particles = 43 kmol/m3
Reaction rate constant = 1.9 x 10-2 m/s
Diffusion of gases in the oxide layer = 8.0 x 10-6 m2/s

7) Develop an expression for the reaction time of spherical particles undergoing the noncatalysed reaction:

Assume that the fluid film diffusion controls the overall rate and that the diameter of the
particle decreases as the reaction proceeds. The following data was collected about the
reaction.
Radius of particle (mm)
Time after start of reaction (min)
13.1
62
11.7
98
8.3
168
5.6
207
4.1
223
0
240
Confirm that the process is fluid film controlled and estimate the initial size of the particle.