Question

Methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2) react in the presence of a catalyst to give formaldehyde (HCHO). In a parallel reaction the methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water:

CH4 + O2 → HCHO + H2O

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

The feed to the reactor contains equimolar amounts of methane and oxygen. Assume as a base a feed of 100 mol / s. The methane conversion fraction is 0.90 and the yield fraction of formaldehyde is 0.855. It is requested:

a. Calculate the molar composition of the reactor outlet stream.

b. Selectivity of formaldehyde production in relation to the production of carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

;