Chemistry - Thermochemistry Question with Solution | TestHub
A factory is producing methanol based on the reaction:
CO + 2H2 → CH3OH; ΔH = -100 R
Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are obtained by the reaction:
CH4 + H2O → CO + 3H2
Three units of factory, namely, reformer (for the production of H2 and CO), reactor (for the production of methanol from CO and H2) and separator (to separate CH3OH from CO and H2) are schematically shown in the figure:
The flow of methanol from Valve-3 is 1000 mol/sec. The factory is so designed that 2/3 of the CO is converted to CH3OH. Assume that the reformer reaction goes to completion.
What is the flow of CO and H2 at valve-1?
Options:
Answer:
Solution:
The output flow of CH₃OH is 1000 mol/s. This amount represents two-thirds of the CO fed to the reactor.
Therefore, the CO flow rate at valve-1 is 1000 × 3/2 = 1500 mol/s.
The reformer produces CO and H₂ in a 1:3 molar ratio.
Given the CO flow rate, the H₂ flow rate is 3 × 1500 = 4500 mol/s.
This corresponds to option (d).
