Question

A reactor is supplied with a 100 mole feed of composition 46% C3H7O4, 44% O2 and 10% N2, if 50% of the limiting reagent is converted into product, what is the extent of reaction?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4

I have been asked this question in unit test.

The above asked question is from Species Material Balances topic in portion The Chemical Reaction Equation & Stoichometry, Material Balances for Processes Involving Reaction and Multiple Units of Basic Chemical Engineering

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) 2

The explanation is: The reaction is 4C3H7O4 + 11O2 -> 12CO2 + 14H2O, => limiting reagent is O2, => Extent of reaction = (44*0.5 – 44)/(-11) = 2.