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 percentage of O2 in products?

(a) 10.4%

(b) 25.8%

(c) 45.6%

(d) 78.2%

The question was posed to me by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

Enquiry is from Material Balances Involving Combustion in division The Chemical Reaction Equation & Stoichometry, Material Balances for Processes Involving Reaction and Multiple Units of Basic Chemical Engineering

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) 10.4%

Easiest 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. => Percentage of O2 = 110/1050*100 = 10.4%.