Question

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is produced by partial oxidation of methanol (CH3OH). Several reactions also occur, producing formic acid (HCOOH), CO, CO2, and H2O. Suppose 100kgmol/h methanol and 20 kgmol/h O2 are fed to a reactor, where 40% of the methanol and 95% of the O2 is converted to products. What must the reactor outlet composition be?

Answer 1

Basis: 1 hour of process

Quantity of methanol in nourish 100 kg molls

Amount of oxygen 21.05 kgmols

Amount of formalihyde produced (assuming as per main reply) = (O2 moles) (Moles of formaldihyde shaped per mole of O2) ( proportion convertion)=21.05*2*0.95= 39.995

Oxygen unreacted =1.0525

Methanol un react =100-40= 60

By crop fromed or due to side reaction of methnol use of 0.005 mols

Therefore manufactured goods concentration are HCHO 40% O2 1% and Methnol 60%.