Chapter 8, Problem 8.8P

Consider the reaction

$\text{A}\stackrel{k_1}{\to }\text{D}\stackrel{k_2}{\to }\text{U}$

Pure A is fed to a 1.0-dm³ CSTR where it reacts to form a desired product (D), which can then react further to produce an undesired product (U); both reactions are elementary and irreversible, and everything is liquid phase. The entering concentration of A is 1 mole/dm³ at a molar flow rate of 1 mol/min.

1. (a) Sketch the conversion of A, X, the instantaneous selectivity of D to U, S_D/U, and the instantaneous yield of D, Y_D, as a function of space time (make sure to label them on the plot). You may want to write a sentence or two of reasoning for partial credit purposes.
2. (b) If at τ = 1.0 minutes the instantaneous selectivity, S_D/U, is (1/2) and the conversion of A is (0.5), what are the specific reactions rates k₁ and k₂?

Exam Problem