You are operating a batch reactor and the reaction is first-order, liquid-phase and exothe...

You are operating a batch reactor and the reaction is first-order, liquid-phase and exothermic. An inert coolant is added to the reaction mixture to control the temperature. The temperature is kept constant by varying the flow rate of the coolant (see Figure P9-6B).

(a) Calculate the flow rate of the coolant 2 h after the start of the reaction.

(b) It is proposed that rather than feeding a coolant to the reactor, a solvent be added that can be easily boiled off, even at moderate temperatures. The solvent has a heat of vaporization of 1000 Btu/lbm and initially there are 25 lb mol of A placed in the tank. The initial volume of solvent and reactant is 300 ft3. Determine the solvent evaporation rate as a function of time. What is the rate at the end of 2 h?

Additional information:

Temperature of reaction: 100°F

Value of k at 100 °F: 1.2 X 10−4 s-1

Temperature of coolant: 80 °F

Heat capacity of all components: 0.5 Btu/lbm,0F

Density of all components: 50 lbm/ft3

Initially:

Vessel contains only A (no B or C present)

CA0: 0.5 lbm/ft3 Initial volume: 50 ft3