ChE 520L

Activity 9 - Chemical Reaction Engineering

Refer to the illustration below to the nos. 1, 2, and 3. The following plots are for the irreversible
isothermal isobaric reaction, A  B
I II III

𝐶𝐴𝑂 1
𝑙𝑛 CB
𝐶𝐴 𝐶𝐴𝑂 − 𝐶𝐵

t t t
1. What is the rate law for I?
A. –rA=k B. –rA=kCA C. –rA=kCA2 D. –rA=kCACB
2. What is the rate law for II?
A. –rA=k B. –rA=kCA C. –rA=kCA2 D. –rA=kCACB
3. What is the rate law for Ill?
A. –rA=k B. –rA=kCA C. –rA=kCA2 D. –rA=kCACB
4. The rate of reaction that does not involve gases, is not dependent on:
A. pressure B. temperature C. concentration D. catalyst
5. Which is not true for a second order reduction?
A. It can have rate constant 1 x 10-2 L mol-1 S-1
B. Its half-life is inversely proportional to its initial concentration
C. Time to complete 75% reaction is twice of half-life
D. T50 = 1/(ka. A0)
6. In a one-step reaction:
A. There is one transition stage involved C. There are two transition stages involved
B. The reaction is only exothermic D. None of these
7. The rate of reaction, A+B Products, is given by the equation, r = k[A][B]. If B is taken in excess, what
would be the order of reaction?
A. 2 B. 1 C. zero D. unpredictable
8. What are the units for a first order reaction rate?
A. Mol/L/s B. s C. L/Mol/S D. Ibmol.ft3
9. If a reaction is nth order the half-life period ___________ of the initial concentration of the reactants.
A. is independent C. varies inversely as nth power
B. varies inversely as (n-1)th power D. varies directly as (n-1)th power
10. On which factor the rate constant of a reaction does not depend upon?
A. temperature C. catalyst
B. activation energy D. concentration of reactants and products
11. For a rate equation: A + B = C, Rate = k[A][B], the rate of reaction is:
A. Independent of concentration of A
B. Independent of concentration of B
C. Dependent of concentration of A and B
D. Independent of the concentrations of A and B
12. The formation of sulphur trioxide from sulphur and oxygen in the presence of a vanadium catalyst
is an example of:
A. Homogeneous catalysis C. Irreversible reaction
B. Heterogeneous catalysis D. None of these

For nos. 13-15:

Consider the following reaction 2A+B  C, Write the rate law in terms of the specific reaction rate and
species concentration when
13. The reaction is elementary and reversible
𝐶𝐶 2 𝐶𝐶 2
A. –rA = kA[𝐶𝐴 2 𝐶𝐵 4 − 𝐶 2 ] C. –rA = kA[𝐶𝐴 4 𝐶𝐵 2 − ]
𝐴 𝐶𝐵 𝐾𝐶 𝐾𝐶

B. –rA = kA[CA2CB4] D. –rA = kA[𝑪𝑨 𝟐 𝑪𝑩 − 𝑲𝑪 ]

𝑪
𝑪

14. The reaction is irreversible and second order in A, and independent of the concentration of C, and
overall first order.

A. –rA =
𝑘1 𝐶 2 𝐴
B. –rA =
𝒌𝟏 𝑪𝑨 C. –rA = k1 D. –rA =
𝑘1 𝐶 2 𝐴
𝐶𝐵 𝑪𝑩 𝐶 2𝐵

15. Now consider the case when the reaction is irreversible and itis first order in A and first order in
B at high concentrations of A and B and is first order in A and second order in B at low concentrations
of B. The rate law is
𝑘1 𝐶𝐴 𝑘1 𝐶 2 𝐴 𝐶 2 𝐵 𝑘1 𝐶 2 𝐴 𝒌𝟏 𝑪𝑨 𝑪𝟐 𝑩
A. –rA = 𝐶𝐵 B. –rA = C. –rA = D. –rA =
1+𝑘2 𝐶 2 𝐴 𝑘2 𝐶𝐵 𝟏+𝒌𝟐 𝑪𝑩

For nos. 16-20:

Write the rate law in terms of concentrations for each of the following
16. The reaction 4A+2B  2C follows an elementary rate law. Thefeed is equal molar in A and B
𝐶𝐶 2 𝑪𝑪 𝟐
A. –rA = kA[𝐶𝐴 2 𝐶𝐵 4 − 𝐶 2 ] C. –rA = kA[𝑪𝑨 𝟒 𝑪𝑩 𝟐 − ]
𝐴 𝐶𝐵 𝐾𝐶 𝑲𝑪

B. –rA = kA[CA2CB4] 𝐶
D. –rA = kA[𝐶𝐴 2 𝐶𝐵 − 𝐾𝐶 ]
𝐶

17. The reaction A  B+C is pseudo first order at high concentrations of A and pseudo second order
at low concentrations of A
A. –rA = k1CA 𝑘 𝐶 2𝐴
B. –rA = 1+𝑘1 C. –rA =
𝑘1 𝐶 2 𝐴
D. –rA = 𝟏+𝒌
𝟏𝒌 𝑪𝟐 𝑨
2
2𝐶 𝐴 𝑘2 𝐶𝐴 𝟐 𝑪𝑨

18. The reaction A+B  C is first order in A and overall zero order.

A. –rA =
𝑘1 𝐶 2 𝐴
B. –rA =
𝒌𝟏 𝑪𝑨 C. –rA = k1 D. –rA =
𝑘1 𝐶 2 𝐴
𝐶𝐵 𝑪𝑩 𝐶 2𝐵
19. The reaction A  B+C is carried out in a constant volume batch reactor and where the reciprocal
of the concentration of A varies linearly with time.
A. –rA = k C. –rA =
𝑘𝐶𝐴
𝐶𝐵
B. –rA =kCA
D. –rA = kC2A
20. The reaction A  B+C is carried out in a constant volume batch reactor and where the
concentration of A decreases linearly with time.
A. –rA = k C. –rA =
𝑘𝐶𝐴
𝐶𝐵
B. –rA =kCA
D. –rA = kC2A
21. If the conversion achieved in a single 8 dm3 CSTR is 80%, what would the conversion be if the
flow is equally divided into two CSTRs in parallel with each reactor having a volume of 4 dm 3 each
(same total volume). The total reactor volume is constant at 8 dm3. The conversion for the two
reactors in parallel is
A. X>0.8 C. X = 0.8
B. X<0.8 D. Can't tell from the information given
22. For in irreversible second order reaction 50% conversion is currently achieved in one PFR of
1,000 dm3. It is proposed to use two 500 dm3 PFRs placed in series. The exit conversion for the two
PFRs will be
A. > 50% C. <50%
B. 50% D. Can't tell without the rate law
23. For reaction system given below, volume is suddenly reduced to half of its value by increasing the
pressure on it. If the reaction is of first order with respect to O2 and second order with respect to NO,
what will be the change in the rate of reaction? 2NO(g) + O2(g) + 2NO2(g)
A. diminish to one-fourth of its initial value C. increase to eight times of its initial value
B. diminish to one-eight of its initial value D. increase to four times of its initial value
24. The rate law for a reaction between the substances A and B is given by rate = k[A]n[B]m. On
doubling the concentration of A and halving the concentration of B. What will be the ratio of the new
rate of the earlier rate of the reaction?
A. (1/2)m+n B. m+n C. n-m D. 2n-m
25. The volume of reaction vessel is suddenly reduced to 1/4th of initial value. If the reaction rate =
k[A][B], what will be the ratio of the new rate to the old rate?
A. 18 B. 8 C. 16 D. no effect on rate
26. In a reaction, 2A2 + B2  2A2B, how fast will reactant A disappear?
A. half the rate that B will decrease C. double the rate that A2B will form
B. the same rate that B will decrease D. twice the rate that B will decrease
27. Which statement is correct?
A. Reactions with low activation energy are usually exothermic
B. The rate law for a reaction is an algebraic expression relating the forward reaction rate to the
product concentration
C. The rate law sometimes enables to deduce the mechanism of a reaction
D. Increase in the total pressure of a gas phase reaction increases the fraction of collisions
effective in producing reactions
28. The rate of chemical reaction depends on the nature of chemical reaction because
A. Threshold energy level differs from one reaction to another
B. Some of the reactants are solid at room temp
C. Some of the reactants are inerts
D. All of the above
29. Which of the following statement is correct for the reaction X +2Y → Products
A. The rate of disappearance of X = 2 x disappearance of Y
B. The rate of disappearance of X = 12 x disappearance of products
C. The rate of appearance of products = 72 x rate of disappearance of Y
D. The rate of appearance of products = 12 x rate of disappearance of X
30. The term - dC/dt in rate equation refers to the
A. concentration of reactant
B. decrease in concentration of reactant with time
C. rate constant of reaction
D. velocity of reaction
Linkage Problem:
A gas decomposes at 900 °C according to 2A(g)  2R(g) + S(g). with a rate constant of 1000 cm3/gmol.s
using pure A.
31. How long will it take to react 80% of A in a batch reactor at 900°C and 1 atm?
A. 8.33 min B. 8.33 min C. 8.33 min D. 8.33 min
Solution: Cno = (1/(0.08205)(900+273.15)= 0.0104 mol/L
 = 1(1/2 + 1 – 1) = 0.5
(1)(0.8)
t = 0.0104(1−0.8) = 500𝑠
(1)(1)
1+(0.5)(0.8)

t = 500/60 = 8.3333 mins

32. What plug flow reactor volume, at 900 °C and 3 atm, will be required to react 80% of A with a
feed rate of 500 lb/h? Molecular weight of A = 45.
A. 346 ft3 B. 346 ft3 C. 346 ft3 D. 346 ft3
Solution:
500𝑥0.8

V= 45𝑥3600
0.0019(1−0.8) = 346 ft3
0.016( )
1+0.5(0.8)

33. The isothermal, irreversible, aqueous phase reaction A + B = E at 100 °C obeys dCe/dt=re=kCaCb,
k=15 ft3/|bmol.hr. Using a 1000-fts stirred tank reactor with an aqueous feed of 2000 ft3/ hr, what
will be the outlet concentration of E if the inlet concentration of A and B are both 0.25 lbmol/ft3?
A. 0.1978 lbmol/ ft3 C. 0.0677 lbmol/ ft3
B. 0.1223 Ibmol/ ft3 D. 0.0925 lbmol/ ft3
 Solution:  = 1000/2000 = 0.5 hr
-rA = kC2AO(1-XA)2
(1-XA)2 = XA/(0.5)(15)(0.25)
XA1 = 2.0441; XA2 = 0.4892
CE = (0.25)(0.4892) = 0.1223 lbmol/ft3
Linkage Problem:
The liquid-phase hydrolysis of dilute aqueous acetic anhydride solution (CH3CO)20 + H2O  2CH3COOH
is second-order irreversible. Our data on rates as a function of temperature were t, °C where C = acetic
anhydride concentration (gmol/cm3).
t, °C 10 15 25 40
Rate, (gmol/cm3.min) 0.0567C 0.0806C 0.158C 0.380C

34. Based on the data, what is the order of the reaction?

A. Zero B. 1st C. 2nd D. 1/2
Solution: by linear regression, 1st order
35. What is the Arrhenius constant?
A. 1.334 x 106 B. 5.337 x 103 C. 2.326 x 107 D. 8.249 x 106
Solution: ln(ko)= 17.0001 ; ko = 2.326 x 107
Linkage Problem:
The elementary gas reaction 2A + B  C is carried out isothermally in a PFR with no pressure drop.
The feed is equal molar in A and B and the entering concentration of A is 0.1 mol/dm3
36. What are the concentrations of A and C (mol/dm3) at 25% conversion of A?
A. CA = 0.075 mol/dm3; Cc = 0.025 mol/dm3
B. CA = 0.025 mol/ dm3; Cc = 0.075 mol/ dm3
C. CA = 0.0143 mol/ dm3; Cc = 0.086 mol/ dm3
D. CA = 0.086 mol/ dm3; Cc = 0.0143 mol/ dm3
Solution:  = ½(½-½-1) = - ½
CA = (0.1)(1-0.25)/(1- ½ x 0.25) = 0.086 mol/dm3
Cc = (0.1)(0.25/2)/(1 – ½ x 0.25) = 0.0143 mol/dm3
37. What are the concentrations of B (mol/ dm3) at 25% conversion of A?
A. CB = 0.075 mol/dm3 C. CB = 0.0143 mol/dm3
B. CB = 0.025 mol/dm3 D. CB = 0.01 mol/dm3
Solution: CB = CAO = 0.01 mol/dm3
38. Me at a particular conversion the rate of formation of C is 2 mol/min/dm 3, what is the rate of
formation of A at the same conversion?
A. 2 mol/dm3/min C.-4 mol/dm3/min
B. -8 mol/dm3/min D. 4 mol/dm3/min
 Solution: rA = -2(rC) = - 4 mol/dm3/min
39. Write -rA solely as a function of conversion (i.e., evaluating all symbols) when the reaction is an
elementary, irreversible, gas phase, isothermal reaction with no pressure drop with an equal molar
feed and with Cao = 2.0 mol/dm3 at, ka = 2 dm6/mol.s to find the rate at X = 0.25.
1 𝑋 3 𝑋 1 𝑋 3
A. –rA = [𝐾 (1−0.5𝑋) ] C. –rA = [8 (1−𝑋) − 4 𝐾 (1−0.25𝑋) ]
𝑐 𝑐

𝑋−1 2 1 𝑋 𝟏−𝑿 𝟐 𝟏 𝑿
B. –rA = 2 [(1−0.25𝑋) − 𝐾 (1−0.25𝑋)] D. –rA = 𝟐 [𝟒 (𝟏−𝟎.𝟓𝑿) − 𝑲 (𝟏−𝟎.𝟓𝑿)]
𝑐 𝒄

Solution:  = -0.5; CAO = 2 mol/dm3

𝟏−𝑿 𝟐 𝟏 𝑿
- rA = k(C2ACB – Cc/kc) = –rA = 𝟐 [𝟒 (𝟏−𝟎.𝟓𝑿) − 𝑲 (𝟏−𝟎.𝟓𝑿)]
𝒄

40. The elementary irreversible gas phase reaction 2A + B is carried out in a constant volume batch
reactor where 50 % conversion is achieved in 1 hour. Pure A was charged to the reactor at an initial
concentration of 0.2 mol/ dm3. If the same reaction is carried out in a CSTR, what volume would be
necessary to achieve 50 % conversion for a feed molar flow rate of 500 mol/h and an entering
concentration of A of 0.2 mol/ dm3
A. 1,223.1 dm3 B. 1,802 dm3 C. 2,812.5 dm3 D. 3,625.4 dm3
Solution: k= (1/0.2)(0.5/0.5) = 5 dm3/mol
 = (1)( ½ - 1) = - ½
V = (500)(0.5)(1-0.5x0.5)2/(0.2)(1-0.5)2 = 2812.5 dm3
41. For elementary reaction ASB where pure A is fed to a reactor the equilibrium conversion is 0.8 at
127°C and 0.5 at 227°C. What is the heat of reaction?
A. 2,359 cal/molA C. 6,779 cal/molA
B. -5, 509 cal/molA D. -3,221 cal/molA
Solution: @ 127°C, T = 400 K ; kc = 0.8/(1-0.8) = 4
@227°C, T=500 K; kc = 0.5/0.5 = 1
HRX = [(500)(400)/(500-400)][1.987ln(1/4)] = -5509.1338 cal/molA
42. Liquid A decomposes by first order kinetics. In a batch reactor, 50% A is converted in a five minute
run. How much longer would it take to reach 75% conversion?
A. 5 min B. 10 min C. 15 min D. 20 min
Solution: @50% conversion, ln(0.5) = -k(5min); k=0.1386 min-1
@75% conversion, CA= (1-0.75)CAO = 0.25CAO
ln(0.25) = -0.1386t ; t= 10 min
43. At 500K, the rate of bimolecular reaction is 10 times the rate at 400 K. The E A of this reaction
using Arrhenius law is
A. 9,150 cal/mol B. 10,350 cal/mol C. 12,525 cal/mol D. 13,540 cal/mol
Solution: e-E/(8.314)(500)= 10e-E/(8.314)(400)
E = 38287.3849/4.184 = 9,150.9046 cal/mol
44. The decomposition of pure A  X + Y+ Z at 1.2 atm and 650°C has a space time of 2.7 min to
achieve 95% conversion in a back mix reactor. The size of the reactor to react the 100 ft3/min pure
should be in ft3)
A. 88 B. 150 C. 270 D. 320
Solution: V= (2.7)(100) = 270 ft3
45. At 100 °C, the gaseous reaction A  2B + C is observed to be 1st order. On starting pure A, it is
found at the end of 10 minutes that the total pressure of the system is 176 mm Hg and after a long
time, the total pressure of the system is 300 mm Hg. The initial pressure of A is
A. 50 mmHg B. 75 mm Hg C. 100 mm Hg D. 125 mm Hg
Solution: X=300/3 = 100 mmHg
46. A certain substance A is mixed with equal amount of B and C. At the end of 1000 seconds, half of
A has reacted. How much will be left unreacted (fraction of original amount) at the end of 2000
seconds, if the rate of reaction is second order with respect to A only.
A. 1/5 B. 1/4 C. 1/3 D. 1/2
47. A liquid phase reaction between cyclopentadiene (A) and benzoquinone (B) is conducted in an
isothermal batch reactor. The reaction is first order with respect to each reactant with ka=9.92 x 10-
3 L/mol-s. Determine the reactor volume (in liters) required to produce 175 mol/h of C, if the

fractional conversion is 0.9. CAo=CBo=0.15 mol/L. Downtime between batches is 30 minutes. The
reaction is A+B  C .
A. 2830 L B. 3689 L C. 4290 L D. 5540 L
Solution: (1/0.1x0.15) – (1/0.15) = 9.92x10-3t; t=100.8065 min
n = (24)(60)/(100.8065+30) = 11 runs
V=(175)(24)/(0.9)(0.15)(11) = 2828.2828 L  2830 L
48. In a homogeneous isothermal liquid polymeric ion, 20% of the monomer disappears in 34
minutes for an initial monomer concentration of 0.04 and also for 0.8 mol/L. What is the rate of
disappearance of the monomer?
A. 0.00133C B. 0.00355C C. 0.00449C D. 0.00656C
Solution: when CAO=0.04, ln(0.04/0.8x0.04) = 34k; k=6.5630 x 10-3
when CAO=0.8, ln(0.8/0.8x0.8) = 34k; k=6.5630 x 10-3
-rA = 0.00656C
49. For a chemical reaction, the ratio of rate constant at 500 K to that at 400 K is 2.5. The value of
activation energy (in kJ/mol)
A. 10.5 B. 12.0 C. 15.2 D. 18.4
Solution: (-E/8.314x500)-(-E/8.314x400)=ln(2.5); E= 15.2361 KJ/mol
50. A CSTR and a PFR of equal volume are connected in series as shown below to carry out a first-
order, isothermal, liquid phase reaction A  P. The rate constant is 0.2 S-1. The space-time is 5 s for
both the reactors. The overall fractional conversion of A is
A. 0.62 B.0.72 C. 0.82 D. 0.92
51. The elementary second-order liquid phase reaction A+B → C + D is carried out in an isothermal
plug flow reactor of 2 m3 volume. The inlet volumetric flow rate is 10 m3 /h. The initial concentrations
of both A and B are 2 kmol/m3. The rate constant is given as 2.5 m3/kmol/h. The percentage
conversion of A is
A. 40 B. 45 C. 50 D. 55
Solution: (1/x)-1 = (2.5)(2)(0.2); x=0.5=50%
Linkage Problem:
The reversible reaction 2A  B is carried out in a flow reactor where pure A is fed at a concentration of
4.0 mol/dm3. If the equilibrium conversion is found to be 60%
52. What is the equilibrium constant, KC, if the reaction is a gasphase reaction?
A. 0.222 dm3/mol B. 0.328 dm3/mol C. 0.455 dm3/mol D. 0.612 dm3/mol
Solution: @equilibrium, -rA=0
 = ½ -1= -0.5;  = (1)(-0.5)
Kc = 0.6[1-0.5(0.6)]/(2)(4)(1-0.6)2 = 0.3281 dm3/mol
53. What is the KC if the reaction is a liquid phase reaction?
A. 0.221 dm3/mol B. 0.285 dm3/mol C. 0.302 dm3/mol D. 0.469 dm3/mol
Solution: Kc= 0.6/(0.2)(4)(1-0.6)2= 0.4688 dm3/mol
54. A reversible, liquid-phase reaction that is first order in both directions proceeds to 50%
conversion in a PFR operating isothermally, isobarically, and at steady state. What conversion would
be obtained in a CSTR with the same volume and feed stream and operating at exactly the same
temperature and pessure?
A. X>50%
B. X<50%
C. 50%
D. insufficient information to answer definitively
55. The rate constant for an irreversible, heterogeneously catalyzed, gas-phase, second order
reaction, A + Product(s), was determined to be 0.234 from experimental data in a packed-bed reactor.
The person analyzing the experimental failed to include the large pressure drop in the reactor in his
analysis. If the pressure drop were properly accounted for, the rate constant would be
A. >0.234
B. <0.234
C. 0.234
D. insufficient information to answer definitively
Solution: Ktrue = 0.234/y2 > 0.234
Linkage Problem: FAO
The elementary gas phase reaction A+B  C + D
takes place isobarically and isothermally in a PFR X1 = ? X2 = ?
where 50% conversion is achieved. The feed is
equimolar in A and B. It is proposed to put a CSTR
of equal volume upstream, i.e., of the PFR.
What will be the intermediate and exit conversions X1 and X2 respectively? The entering flow rates and
all other variables remain the same as that for the single PFR.
56. X1
A. 0.38 B. 0.56 C. 0.45 D. 0.50
𝑘𝐶 2 0.5
Solution: case 1, 𝐴𝑂
𝑉= =1
𝐹𝐴𝑂 1−0.5
𝑘𝐶 2 𝐴𝑂 𝑥
case 2, 𝐹𝐴𝑂
𝑉 = 1−2𝑥 1+𝑥2 = 1
1 1

1-2x1+x12=x; x1= 0.3820

57. X2
A. 0.52 B. 0.48 C. 0.62 D. 0.58
Solution: 1/(1-X2)= 1+ (1/0.62); X2= 0.62
Linkage Problem:
Study problem P5-9B. The gas phase reaction A B+C follows an elementary rate law and is to be
carried out first in a PFR and then in a separate experiment in a CSTR. When Pure A is fed to a 10 dm3
PFR at 300K and a volumetric flow rate of 5 dm3/s the conversion is 80%. When a mixture of 50% A and
50% inert (I) is fed to a 10 dm3 CSTR at 320K and a volumetric flow rate of 5 dm3/s the conversion is
80%.
58. What is the activation energy at 300 K?
A. 0.08 B. 13.40 C. 6.28 D. 1.21
Solution: k= ½ [ 2ln(1/1-0.8) – 0.8] = 1.2094
59. What is the activation energy at 320 K?
A. 24.9 B. 15.4 C. 3.20 D. 0.21
Solution: k = ½[0.8(1)+(0.5)(0.8)]/0.2 = 3.20
60. What is the activation energy in cal/mol?
A. 8010 B. 3220 C. 6050 D.419
Solution: ln(3.20/1.21) = (E/1.987)(1/300 – 1/320)
E= 8010 cal/mol