Question

Ammonia is produced by reacting nitrogen and hydrogen. A feed stream consisting of 2.400% argon (by mole) and stoichiometric proportion of the reactants (N2 and H2) is fed into the system at the rate of 100 mol/min. The components enter a reactor, and then all ammonia is separated from the other components and leaves the process. The other components are recycled back to the feed stream, with a portion being purged from the system. The mole percentage of argon in the purge stream is 5.500%.

(a)

Draw and label flowchart. Write down the reaction equation.

(b)

Based on the entire process, list the N2 and H2 balance using extent of reaction. Calculate the value of extent of reaction based on the statement that “The mole percentage of argon in the purge stream is 5.500%”. Note, Ar is inert in the system.

(c)

Calculate the production of ammonia.

(d)

Calculate the composition fractions for all the species in recycle stream.

(e)

The single-pass conversion in the reactor is 0.124. Using this information,a balance based on mixing point, and a balance based on separator (split), Calculate the recycle stream mole flow rate. (Write balance based on one component, for example, balance of N2 at mixing point).

Answer 1