Question

Methane is at the rate 50 moles is supplied to a reactor with air at the rate 1000 moles, the reactor leaves O2, N2, CO2 and H2O, what is the rate of products?

(a) 900 moles

(b) 950 moles

(c) 1000 moles

(d) 1050 moles

The question was posed to me in exam.

My question comes from Material Balances Involving Combustion in chapter The Chemical Reaction Equation & Stoichometry, Material Balances for Processes Involving Reaction and Multiple Units of Basic Chemical Engineering

Answer 1

Right choice is (d) 1050 moles

For explanation: The reaction is CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O. O2 supplied = 1000*21/100 = 210 moles, N2 supplied = 1000*79/100 = 790 moles, => O2 unreacted = 210 – 100 = 110 moles, CO2 formed = 50 moles, H2O formed = 100 moles. => Rate of products = 790 + 110 + 50 + 100 = 1050 moles.