Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is an important industrial solvent that can be produced from the dehydrogenation of butan-2-ol (Bu) over a zinc oxide catalyst [Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 27, 2050 (1988)]:
Bu → MEK + H2
The following data giving the reaction rate for MEK were obtained in a differential reactor at 490°C.
PBu (atm) | 2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
PMEK (atm) | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
PH2 (atm) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
r′MEK (mol/h.g cat.) | 0.044 | 0.040 | 0.069 | 0.060 | 0.043 | 0.059 |
(a) Suggest a rate law consistent with the experimental data.
(b) Suggest a reaction mechanism and rate-limiting step consistent with the rate law. (Hint: Some species might be weakly adsorbed.)
(c) What do you believe to be the point of this problem?
(d) Plot conversion (up to 90%) and reaction rate as a function of catalyst weight for an entering molar flow rate of pure butan-2-ol of 10 mol/min and an entering pressure P0 = 10 atm. Wmax = 23 kg.
(e) Write a question that requires critical thinking and then explain why your question requires critical thinking. [ Hint: See preface section B.2.]
(f) Repeat part (d) accounting for pressure drop and α = 0.03 kg-1. Plot Y and X as a function of catalyst weight down the reactor.
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