Chapter 4

MATERIAL BALANCES AND APPLICATIONS

MATERIAL BALANCES AND APPLICATIONS

4.1. Introduction

Material balances are important first step when designing a new process or analyzing an
existing one. They are almost always prerequisite to all other calculations in the solution of
process engineering problems.
Material balances are nothing more than the application of the law of conservation of mass,
which states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed. Thus, you cannot, for example,
specify an input to a reactor of one ton of naphtha and an output of two tons of gasoline or
gases or anything else. One ton of total material input will only give one ton of total output,
i.e. total mass of input = total mass of output.
A material balance is an accounting for material. Thus, material balances are often compared
to the balancing of current accounts. They are used in industry to calculate mass flow rates of
different streams entering or leaving chemical or physical processes.

4.2. The General Balance Equation

Suppose propane is a component of both the input and output streams of a continuous process
unit shown below, these flow rates of the input and output are measured and found to be
different.

Process unit

qin (kg propane/h)

qout (kg propane/h)

If there are no leaks and the measurements are correct, then the other possibilities that can
account for this difference are that propane is either being generated, consumed, or
accumulated within the unit.
A balance (or inventory) on a material in a system (a single process unit, a collection of units,
or an entire process) may be written in the following general way:

Input
+
(enters
through
system
boundaries)

generation
(produced
within
system
boundaries)

output

(leaves
through
system
boundaries)

consumption
(consumed
within
system)

accumulation
(buildup
within
system)

This general balance equation may be written for any material that enters or leaves any
process system; it can be applied to the total mass of this material or to any molecular or
atomic species involved in the process.
The general balance equation may be simplified according to the process at hand. For
example, by definition, the accumulation term for steady-state continuous process is zero.
Thus the above equation becomes:
Input + generation = output + consumption
For physical process, since there is no chemical reaction, the generation and consumption
terms will become zero, and the balance equation for steady-state physical process will be
simply reduced to:
Input = Output

4.3. Balances on Single and Multiple Physical Systems

4.3.1. Procedure for Material Balance Calculations

In material balance problems, you will usually be given a description of a process, the values
of several process variables, and a list of quantities to be determined. In order to be trained
on using a systematic procedure to solve material balance problems, you are advised to
follow the steps summarized below:
1. Draw and label the process flow chart (block diagram). When labeling, write the values of
known streams and assign symbols to unknown stream variables. Use the minimum
number possible of symbols.
2. Select a basis of calculation. This is usually the given stream amounts or flow rates, if no
given then assume an amount of a stream with known composition.

3. Write material balance equations. Note in here the maximum number of independent
equations you can write for each system is equal the number of species in the input and
output streams of this system. Also note to first write balances that involve the fewest
unknown variables.
4. Solve the equations derived in step 3 for the unknown quantities to be determined.

Notes
i. Minimize the symbols assigned to unknown quantities by utilizing all the given process
specifications and using laws of physics.
ii. After doing calculations on certain basis, you may scale up or scale down (convert to new
basis) while keeping the process balanced. This is done by multiplying all streams (except
mass or mole fractions) by the scale factor which is equal to the ratio of the new stream
amount or flow rate to the old one. You can only scale between mass amount or flow rates
regardless of units used but not from mass to molar quantity or flow rate.
The examples below will illustrate the procedure of balances on physical processes:

EXAMPLE: Balance on a mixing unit

An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide contains 20% NaOH by mass. It is desired to
produce an 8% NaOH solution by diluting a stream of the 20% solution with a stream of pure
water.
1. Calculate the ratios (g H2O/g feed solution) and (g product solution/g feed solution).
2. Determine the feed rates of 20% solution and diluting water needed to produce
2310 lbm/min of the 8% solution.

Solution
We could take a basis of 2310 lbm product/min, but for illustrative purposes and to have
neater numbers to work with let us choose a different basis and scale the final results.
Basis: 100 g Feed Solution

Draw and label the flowchart, remembering that the amount of the product stream is now
unknown.

100 g
0.20 g NaOH/g
0.80 g H2O/g

Q2 (g)
0.080 g NaOH/g
0.920 g H2O/g

Q1 (g H2O)

(Since the known stream amount is given in grams, it is convenient to label all unknown
amounts with this unit.)

There are two unknowns - Q1 and Q2 - and since there are two substances - NaOH and H2O in the input and output streams, two balances may be written to solve for them. The total
mass balance and the water balance involve both unknowns, but the NaOH balance involves
only one.

NaOH Balance

(g

NaOH )in

= (g NaOH )out

(0.20)(100 g ) = 0.080 Q2

Q 2 = 250 g

It is a good practice to write calculated variable values on the flowchart as soon as they are
known for ease of use in later calculations; at this point, 250 would therefore be written in
place of Q2 on the chart.
Total Mass Balance
100 g + Q1 = Q 2

= 250 g

Q1 = 150 g H 2 O

The desired ratios can now be calculated:

Q1 (g H 2 O)
100 g feed solution
Q2 (g H 2 O)
100 g feed solution

Q1 = 150

Q2 = 250

1.5

g H 2O
g feed solution

2.5

g product
g feed solution

The scale factor is obtained as the true flow rate of the product stream divided by the rate
calculated on the assumed basis.
2310 lb m product/min
lb /min
= 9.24 m
250 g product
g

Feed Solution Flow Rate

lb feed solution
100 g 9.24 lb m /min
= 924 m
g
min

Dilution Water Flow Rate

lb H O
150 g 9.24 lb m /min
= 1386 m 2
min
g

Check:

(924 + 1386) lbm/min = 2310 lbm/min

EXAMPLE: Scale up of a separation process flowchart

A 60 - 40 mixture (by moles) of A and B is separated into two fractions. A flowchart of the
process is shown here.
50.0 mol
0.95 mol A/mol
0.05 mol B/mol

100.0 mol
0.60 mol A/mol
0.40 mol B/mol

12.5 mol A
37.5 mol B

It is desired to achieve the same separation with a continuous feed of 1250 lb-moles/h. Scale
the flowchart accordingly.
Solution

The scale factor is

1250 lbmoles / h
lbmoles / h
= 12.5
mol
100 mol

The masses of all streams in the batch process are converted to flow rates as follows:

Feed:

100 mol 12.5 lb - moles/h

lb - moles
(as specified)
= 1250
h
mol

Top product stream:

(50.0)(12.5)

= 625 lb-moles/h

Bottom product stream:

(12.5)(12.5)

= 156 lb-moles A/h

(37.5)(12.5)

= 469 lb-moles B/h

The units of the mole fractions in the top product stream may be changed from mol/mol to lbmole/lb-mole, but their values remain the same. The flowchart for the scaled-up process is
shown here.
625 lb-moles/hr
0.95 lb-mole A/b-mole
0.05 lb-mole B/b-mole

1250 lb-moles/hr
0.60 lb-mol A/lb-mole
0.40 lb-mol B/lb-mole

156 lb-moles A/hr

469 lb-moles B/hr
6

EXAMPLE: Material balances on a distillation column

A mixture containing 45% benzene (B) and 55% toluene (T) by mass is fed to a distillation
column. An overhead stream of 95 wt% B is produced, and 8% of the benzene fed to the
column leaves in the bottom stream. The feed rate is 2000 kg/h. Determine the overhead flow
rate and the mass flow rates of benzene and toluene in the bottom stream
Solution

Basis : Given Feed Rate

The labeled flowchart is as follows.
D kg/h
0.95 kg B/kg
0.05 kg T/kg

2000 kg/h
0.45 kg B/kg
0.55 kg T/kg

Contains 8% of the B
in the feed

wB kg B/kg
wT kg T/kg

There are three unknowns on the chart - D, wB, and wT - and therefore three equations are
needed. We are entitled to write only two material balances since two species are involved in
the process; the third equation must therefore come from additional given information (the
amount of benzene in the bottom stream.) The latter relation is.
B in bottom stream = 0.080 (B in feed)

wB (kg B/h) = 0.080 [(0.45)(2000) kg/h]

wB = 72 kg B/h

(Write 72 in place of wB on the chart)

Toluene and total mass balances each involve two unknowns, D and wT, but a benzene
balance involves only one, D.
Benzene Balance

(0.45)(2000) kg

= 0.95 D + wB
wB = 72 kg B/h

D = 870 kg/h (Write it on the chart)

Total Mass Balance (A toluene balance could be used equally well)

2000

kg
= D + w B + wT
h
D = 870 kg/h

wB = 72 kg/h

wT = 1060 kg T/h

EXAMPLE: Two Unit Distillation Process

A labeled flowchart of a continuous steady-state two-unit distillation process is shown below.
Each stream contains two components, A and B, in different proportions. Three streams
whose flow rates and/or compositions are not known are labeled 1, 2 and 3.
30 kg/h
0.600 kg A/kg
0.400 kg B/kg

40 kg/h
0.900 kg A/kg
0.100 kg B/kg
100 kg/h

0.500 kg A/kg
0.500 kg B/kg
30 kg/h
0.300 kg A/kg
0.700 kg B/kg

Calculate the unknown flow rates and compositions of streams 1, 2, and 3.

Solution
The systems about which balances might be taken are shown on the following representation
of the flowchart.
30 kg/h
0.600 kg A/kg
0.400 kg B/kg

40 kg/h
0.900 kg A/kg
0.100 kg B/kg

100 kg/h
0.500 kg A/kg
0.500 kg B/kg

Q2 (kg/h)

Q1 (kg/h)
x1 (kg A/kg)
1- x1 (kg B/kg)

x2 (kg A/kg)
1- x2 (kg B/kg)

30 kg/h
0.300 kg A/kg
0.700 kg B/kg

Q3 (kg/h)
x3 (kg A/kg)
1- x3 (kg B/kg)

The outer boundary encompasses the entire process. Two of the interior boundaries surround
the individual process units, and the fourth boundary encloses a stream junction point.
Basis: Given Flow Rates
There are two unknowns in the streams that enter and leave the total process, Q3 and x3, and
since there are two independent components in these streams (A and B) we may write two
balances.
Overall Mass Balance

(100 + 30) kg
h

= (40 + 30 )

kg
+ Q3
h

Q3 = 60 kg/h
Overall Balance On A

(0.500)(100) + (0.300)(30) = (0.900)(40) + (0.600)(30) + (60)(x 3 )

x 3 = 0.0833 kg A/kg
To determine the flow rate and composition of a connecting stream, we must write balances
on a subsystem whose boundary intersects this stream. Of the three such boundaries shown in
the flowchart, the middle one (about the stream junction) would not be a good one to use at
this point since its input and output streams contain four unknown quantities (Q1, x1, Q2, x2),
while the boundaries about the process units each intersect streams that contain two
unknowns.
Let us choose the boundary about unit 1 for the next set of balances. There are two
unknowns, Q1 and x1, in the streams that intersect this boundary, and up to two balances may
be written.
Total Mass Balance on Unit 1
100 kg / h = 40

kg
+ Q1
h

Q1 = 60 kg / h

Balance on A in Unit 1
(0.500)(100) = (0.900)(40) + 60x1
x1 = 0.233 kg A/kg
To find Q2 and x2, we could write balances about either the stream mixing point or Unit 2.
Let us choose the first alternative.
Mass Balance About Mixing Point
Q1 + 30 kg/h = Q2
Q1 = 60 kg/h

Q2 = 90 kg/h
Balance on A About Mixing Point
Q1 x1 + (0.300)(30) kg A/h = Q2 x 2
Q1 = 60 kg/h
x1 = 0.233 kg A/kg
Q2 = 90 kg/h

x2 =

0.255 kg A/kg

4.4. Balances on Reactive Systems

4.4.1. Stoichiometry, Limiting and Excess Reactants
For reactive systems, in addition to input and output of materials, generation and
consumption terms should be considered in the general mole balance equation. Theory of
proportions in which chemical compounds react is called stoichiometry. A statement of the
relative number of moles or molecules reacting to produce products is given by a chemical
equation known as stoichiometric equation. For example, 2 moles of SO2 and one mole of
O2 react to produce 2 moles of SO3. Then the stoichiometric equation will be
2SO2+O22SO3. Numbers that precede the formulas are known as stoichiometric
coefficients.

10

EXAMPLE:

2SO2+O2 2SO3.

What is the stoichiometric coefficient of SO2?

Solution The number that precede SO2 is 2. Therefore, stoichiometric coefficient of SO2 is
2.
In a stoichiometric equation, the number of atoms in both sides of the equation must be
balanced. In this example, the number of atoms of S and O are 2 and 6, respectively, in both
sides of equation.
Ratio of stoichiometric coefficients of two species is known as stoichiometric ratio.

EXAMPLE:
Solution

2SO2+O2 2SO3.

What is the stoichiometric ratio of SO2 to SO3?

stoichiometric ratio of SO2 to SO3 =

2 mole of SO 2 reacted
2 mole of SO 3 produced

= 1

If proportion of chemical species fed to a reactor is same as the stoichiometric ratio, then
chemical species combine in stoichiometric proportion, otherwise one or more species will
be in excess of the other. The chemical compound which is present less than its
stoichiometric amount, will disappear first. This reactant will be the limiting reactant and all
the others will be excess reactants. Fractional and percentage excess are given by the
following formulas.

n nS
nS
n nS
percentage excess =
100
nS
where
n = number of moles fed
fractional excess =

ns = number of moles corresponding to stoichiometric amount

EXAMPLE: 100 moles of SO2 and 100 moles O2 are fed to a reactor and they react
according to 2SO2+O2 2SO3. Find the limiting reactant, excess reactant,
fractional excess and percentage excess?
Solution

ratio of SO2 to O2 fed = 100/100 = 1

stoichiometric ratio of SO2/O2 = 2/1=2
Therefore, SO2 is fed less than the stoichiometric proportion (or stoichiometric ratio). SO2 is
the limiting reactant. The other reactant (O2) will be the excess reactant.
11

n = number of moles of excess reactant (O2) fed = 100

ns = stoichiometric amount of O2 to react with 100 moles of the limiting reactant SO2 = 50
n n S 100 50
Therefore, fractional excess =
=
= 1.0
nS
50
percentage excess =

n nS
100 = 100%
nS

4.4.2. Fractional Conversions, Extent of Reaction, Chemical Equilibrium

In many cases, chemical reactions do not go to completion and only a fraction will be
converted. Therefore, fractional and percentage conversions are used. They are defined as
follows,
fractional conversion (f) =

mole reacted
mole fed to the reactor

percentage conversion = f 100

fraction unreacted = (1-f)

EXAMPLE: 200 moles of SO2 and 100 moles O2 are fed to a reactor. Only 100 moles of
SO2 react according to 2SO2+O22SO3 Find fractional conversion, percentage
conversion and fraction unreacted?
Solution

fractional conversion of SO2 (f) =

mole reacted
=100/200=0.5
mole fed to the reactor

percentage conversion = f 100=0.5100=50%

fraction unreacted = (1-f)=1-0.5=0.5

When a reaction is not complete, remaining amount in the reactor will be given by
n i = n io + i

12

 = extent of reaction (mole reacted or produced/i)

i = compound i, ni = remaining amount
nio = amount initially put in the reactor
i = +i, stoichiometric coefficient of a product
= -i , stoichiometric coefficient of a reactant
= 0 , inert

where,

The same equation is true if quantities (i.e., moles) are replaced by flow rates (mole/hr).

EXAMPLE: 200 moles of SO2 and 100 moles O2 are fed to a reactor. Only 50 moles of O2
react according to 2SO2+O22SO3 Find the moles remaining for all species?
Solution

= 50, nio = 100, i = -i = -1, n i = n io + i = 100-150=50 moles

For O2,
For SO2,

= 50, nio = 200, i = -i = -2, ni = 200-250=100 moles

For SO3,

= 50, nio = 0, i = +i = +2, ni = 0+250=100 moles

When the chemical reaction proceeds in one direction only, we call it irreversible. If the
reaction proceeds in forward and backward directions then it is reversible. When forward
reaction rate and reverse reaction rate becomes equal, reaction is said to be in equilibrium.
Equilibrium constant (K) for a gas phase reaction, A(gas) + B(gas)<=> C(gas) + D (gas), is
given by
K=

yCyD
,
yA yB

where y is the mole fraction of the components in the gas phase.

EXAMPLE: Reaction Stoichiometry

Acrylonitrile is produced by the reaction of propylene, ammonia, and oxygen.

C3 H 6 + NH3 +

3
O 2 C3H 3 N + 3 H 2 O
2

The feed contains 10 mole% propylene, 12% ammonia, and 78% air. A fractional conversion
of 30% of the limiting reactant is achieved. Determine which reactant is limiting, the
percentage by which each of the other reactants is in excess, and the molar flow rates of all
product gas constituents for a 30% conversion of the limiting reactant, taking 100 mol of feed
as a basis.

13

Solution
Basis : 100 mol Feed
100 mol

n C 3 H 6 mol C3 H 6

0.100 mol C3H6/mol

0.120 mol NH3/mol
0.780 mol air/mol
(0.21 mol O2/mol air
0.79 mol N2/mol air)

n NH 3 mol NH3
n o 2 mol O 2
n N 2 mol N 2
n C 3 H 3 N mol C3H 3 N
n H 2 O mol H 2O

The feed to the reactor contains

(C

H 6 )in = 10.0 mol

(NH 3 )in

= 12.0 mol

(O 2 )in

78.0 mol air 0.210 mol O 2

= 16.4 mol
mol air

(NH 3 /C 3 H 6 )in = 12.0/10.0 = 1.20

NH 3 is in excess
(NH 3 /C 3 H 6 )stoich = 1/1 = 1

(O 2 / C 3 H 6 )in = 16.4/10.0 = 1.64

O 2 is in excess
(O 2 / C 3 H 6 )stoich = 1.5/1 = 1.5
Since propylene is fed in less than the stoichiometric proportion relative to the two other
reactants, propylene is the limiting reactant.
To determine the percentages by which ammonia and oxygen are in excess, we must first
determine the stoichiometric amounts of these reactants corresponding to the amount of
propylene in the feed (10 mol).
10.0 mol C3 H 6 1 mol NH 3
= 10.0 mol NH 3
1 mol C3H 6

(NH3 )stoich

(O 2 )stoich

10.0 mol C3 H 6 1.5 mol O 2

= 15.0 mol O 2
1 mol C3H 6

(% excess)NH

(NH 3 )0

(NH 3 ) stoich

(NH 3 ) stoich

100%

= [(12 10 )/10] 100% = 20% excess NH 3

14

(% excess)O

= [(16.4 15.0)/15.0] 100% = 9.3% excess O 2

If the fractional conversion of C3H6 is 30%

(C3H6)out = 0.700(C3H6)in = 7.0 mol C3H6
But

n C3 H 6 = 10.0 . The extent of reactions is therefore :

= 3.0.

Then,
n NH 3 = 12.0
n O2

= 16.4 1.5

n C3H 6 N =
n N2

= (N 2 ) 0

n H 2 O = 3

9.0 mol NH 3

= 11.9 mol O 2
=

3.00 mol C 3 H 3 N

= 61.6 mol N 2
=

9.0 mol H 2 O

EXAMPLE: Calculation of an Equilibrium Composition

If the water-gas shift reaction,
CO(g) + H2O(g) CO2(g) + H2(g)
proceeds to equilibrium at a temperature T(K), the mole fractions of the four reactive species
satisfy the relation
y CO 2 y H 2
y CO y H 2 O

= K (T)

where K (T) is the reaction equilibrium constant. At T = 1105 K (832C), K = 1.00.

Suppose the feed to a reactor contains 1.00 mol CO, 2.00 mol of H2O, and no CO2 or H2, and
the reaction mixture comes to equilibrium at 1105 K. Calculate the equilibrium composition
and the fractional conversion of the limiting reactant.

Solution
The strategy is to express all mole fractions in terms of a single variable (e, the extent of
reaction at equilibrium), substitute in the equilibrium relation, solve for e, and backsubstitute to calculate the mole fractions and any other desired quantity.

15

n CO = 1.00 e

(number of mols of CO present at equilibrium)

n H 2O = 2.00 e
n CO 2 = e
n H 2 = 1 e
n total = 3.00
from which
y CO

= (1.00 e )/3.00

y H 2O = (2.00 e )/3.00
y CO 2 = e /3.00
y H2

= e /3.00

Substitution of these expressions in the equilibrium relation (with K = 1.00) yields

e2

(1.00 e )(2.00 e )

= 1.00

This may be rewritten as a standard quadratic equation and solve to yield e = 0.667. This
quantity may in turn be substituted back into the expressions for yi(e) to yield

y CO = 0.111,

y H 2O = 0.444,

y CO 2 = 0.222, y H 2 = 0.222

The limiting reactant in this case is CO (verify). At equilibrium,

n CO = 1.00 0.667 = 0.333
The fractional conversion of CO at equilibrium is therefore
fCO = (1.00 - 0.333) mol reacted/(1.00 mol fed) = 0.667

4.4.3. Multiple Reactions, Yield and Selectivity

In a chemical process, our objective is to produce a certain product (desired product), but
there may be several unwanted reactions which will produce undesirable by products.
Therefore, we must maximize the production of a desired product in the process. Two
quantities, yield and selectivity, are used for this purpose and they are defined as follows,

16

yield =

moles of desired product formed

moles of desired product formed if there were no side
reactions and the limiting reactant reacts completely

selectivity =

moles of desired product formed

moles of undesired product formed

When we have multiple reactions, the remaining amount or flow rate will be given by

n i = n io + ij j
j

where

i = compound i
j = reaction j
j = extent of reaction for the jth reaction
ij = +i, stoichiometric coefficient of a product i in the jth reaction
= -i, stoichiometric coefficient of a reactant i in the jth reaction
= 0, inert

EXAMPLE: Consider the following pair of reactions.

A 2B (desired)
A C (undesired)
100 moles of A are fed to a batch reactor and the final product contains 10 mol of A, 160 mol
of B and 10 mol of C. Calculate (1) percentage yield of B, (2) the selectivity of B relative to
C and (3) the extents of the reactions.
Solution
Percentage Yield

moles of desired product (B) formed = 160

moles of desired product formed if there were no side reactions and the limiting reactant
2 moles of B produced
reacts completely = 100 moles of A
= 200 moles
1 mole of A reacted
yield (%) = 160/200*100 = 80%
Selectivity

moles of desired product (B) formed = 160

17

moles of undesired product (C) formed = 10

selectivity =

moles of desired product formed

= 160/10 = 16.
moles of undesired product formed

Extent of Reactions

n i = n io + ij j
j

for two reaction system as above, n i = n io + i1 1 + i 2 2

applying this equation for B,
for C,

10 = 0 + 2

160 = 0 + 21 ,

this gives

this gives

1 = 80

2 = 10.

check: for A,
10 = 100 1 2 ,

10 = 100 80 10 = 10

EXAMPLE: Yield and Selectivity in a Dehydrogenation Reactor

The reactions

C2 H 6 C2 H 4 + H 2
C 2 H 6 + H 2 2 CH 4

take place in a continuous reactor at steady state. The feed contains 85.0 mole% ethane
(C2H6) and the balance inerts (I). The fractional conversion of ethane is 0.501, and the
fractional yield of ethylene is 0.471. Calculate the molar composition of the product gas and
the selectivity of ethylene to methane production.
Solution
Basis: 100 mol Feed
100 mol

n 1 (mol C 2 H 6 )
n 2 (mol C 2 H 4 )
n 3 (mol H 2 )
n 4 (mol CH 4 )
n 5 (mol I)

0.850 C2H6

0.150 I

The outlet component amounts in terms of extents of reaction are as follows:

18

n1 (mol C2H6) = 85.0 - 1 - 2

n2 (mol C2H4) = 1
n3 (mol H2) = 1 - 2
n4 (mol CH4) = 22
n5 (mol I) = 15.0
Ethane Conversion

n1 =

(1.000 0.501) mol C 2 H 6 unreacted 85.0 mol C 2 H 6 fed

mol C 2 H 6 fed

= 42.4 mol C 2 H 6 = 85.0 1 2

Ethylene Yield

Maximum possible ethylene =

n 2 = 0.471 (85.0 mol C 2 H 4

85.0 mol C 2 H 6 fed 1 mol C 2 H 4

= 85.0 mol
1 mol C 2 H 6

) = 40.0 mol

C 2 H 4 = 1

Substituting 40.0 for 1 in (1) yield 2 = 2.6 mol. Then

n 3 = 1 2

= 37.4 mol H 2

n 4 = 2 2 = 5.2 mol CH 4
n 5 = 15.0 mol I
n tot = (42.4 + 40.0 + 37.4 + 5.2 + 15.0) = 140.0 mol

30.3% C 2 H 6 , 28.6% C 2 H 4 ,

26.7% H 2 , 3.7% CH 4 , 10.7% I

Selectivity = (40.0 mol C2H4)/(5.2 mol CH4) = 7.7

mol C 2 H 4
mol CH 4

4.4.4. Atomic and Molecular Balances

In a chemical process, molecules are either generated (produced) or consumed. Therefore,

one should take into account the amounts (moles) generated, consumed, fed and remaining in
molecular balances.
19

EXAMPLE: In a steady state process, 100 moles ethane (C2H6) react to produce ethylene
(C2H4) and hydrogen (H2) according to C2H6C2H4 + H2. Product gas shows
40 moles of hydrogen remaining. Perform molecular balances for all species.
Solution:

40 mol of H2
q1 mol of C2H6
q2 mol of C2H4

100 mol C2H6

Then, the molecular balance of H2 is as follows,

input + generated (produced) = output + consumed (reacted)
input = 0.0
output = 40
consumed = 0
0 + generated (produced) = 40+ 0 H2 (generated) = 40 moles.
Molecular balance of C2H6 is as follows,
input + generated (produced) = output + consumed (reacted)
input = 100
generated = 0
output = q1
100 + 0 = q1 + consumed

C2H6 (consumed) = 100-q1

H2 (generated) = 40 moles=C2H6 (consumed) = 100-q1

q1 = 60 moles

Molecular balance of C2H4 is as follows,

input + generated (produced) = output + consumed (reacted)
input = 0
output = q2
consumed = 0
0 + generated = q2 + 0

C2H4 (generated) = q2

C2H4 (generated) = q2 = H2 (generated) = 40 moles

20

q2 = 40 moles

According to conservation principle, atoms can neither be created (produced) nor destroyed
(consumed). Therefore, in atomic balances there is no generation or consumption terms.
Simply, input = output.

EXAMPLE: For the same problem as above, do atomic balances?

Solution

Atomic carbon balance:

1002 = q12 + q22

Atomic hydrogen balance

1006 = 402 + q16 + q24

Solving these two atomic balance equations, you will get the same answer as above.

EXAMPLE: Combustion of Methane

Methane is burned with oxygen to yield carbon dioxide and water. The feed contains 20
mole% CH4, 60% O2, and 20% CO2, and a 90% conversion of the limiting reactant is
achieved. Calculate the molar composition of the product stream using (1) balances on
molecular species, (2) atomic balances, (3) the extent of reaction.
Solution
Basis : 100 mol Feed
100 mol

n CH 4 (mol CH 4 )
n O 2 (mol O 2 )
n CO 2 (mol CO 2 )
n H 2 O (mol H 2 O)

0.200 CH4
0.600 O2
0.200 CO2

CH 4 + 2 O 2 CO 2 + 2 H 2 O

Since a 2:1 ratio of O2 to CH4 would be stoichiometric and the actual ratio is 3:1, CH4 is the
limiting reactant and O2 is in excess.
Before the balances are written, the given process information should be used to determine
the unknown variables or relations between them. In this case, the methane conversion of
90% tells us that 10% of the methane fed to the reactor emerges in the product, or

21

n CH 4 = 0.100 (20.0 mol CH 4 fed) = 2.0 mol CH 4

Now all that remains are the balances. We will proceed by each of the indicated methods.
1. MolecularBalances

CH 4 reacted =

20.0 mol CH 4 fed 0.900 mol react

= 18 mol CH 4 react
mol fed

CO2 Balance (input + generation = output)

18 mol CH 4 react 1 mol CO 2 produced

100 mol 0.200 mol CO 2
+
= n CO 2
mol fed
1 mol CH 4
n CO 2

= 38 mol CO 2

H 2 O Balance (generation = output)

18 mol CH 4 react 2 mol H 2 O produced
= n H 2O
1 mol CH 4 react
n H 2O

= 36 mol H 2 O

O2 Balance (input = output + consumption)

18 mol CH 4 react 2 mol O 2 react
100 mol 0.600 mol O 2
= n O2 +
mol
1 mol CH 4 react
n O2

= (60 36) mol O 2 = 24 mol O 2

In summary, the output quantities are 2 mol CH4, 24 mol O2, 38 mol CO2, and 36 mol
H2O, for a total of 100 mol. (Since 3 moles of products are produced for every 3 moles of
reactants consumed, it should come as no surprise that total moles in = total moles out.)
The mole fractions of the product gas components are thus:
0.02 mol CH4/mol,
0.24 mol O2/mol,
0.38 mol CO2/mol,
0.36 mol H2O/mol
22

2. Atomic Balances
Referring to the flowchart, we see that a balance on atomic carbon involves only one
unknown ( n CO 2 ), and a balance on atomic hydrogen also involves one unknown ( n H 2 O ),
but a balance on atomic oxygen involves three unknowns. We should therefore write the
C and H balances first, and then the O balance to determine the remaining unknown
variable. All atomic balances have the form input = output. (We will just determine the
component amounts; calculation of the mole fractions then follows as in part 1.)

C Balance
20.0 mol CO 2 1 mol C
1 mol C
+
1 mol CO 2
1 mol CH 4
n
mol
CO 2 1 mol C
2.0 mol CH 4 1 mol C
CO 2
=
+
1 mol CO 2
1 mol CH 4

= 38 mol CO 2

20.0 mol CH 4

n CO 2

H Balance
20 mol CH 4

2 mol CH 4 4 mol H
4 mol H
=
1 mol CH 4
1 mol CH 4
n H 2 O mol H 2 O 2 mol H
+
1 mol H 2 O

n H 2 O = 36 mol H 2 O

O Balance
60 mol O 2

n O2

20 mol CO 2 2 mol O
2 mol O
+
1 mol O 2
1 mol O 2
= (n O 2 mol O 2 ) (2) + (38 mol CO 2 ) (2) + (36 mol H 2 O)(1)

= 24 mol O 2

confirming the results obtained using molecular balances.

3. Extent of Reaction
As discussed earlier, for all reactive species
n out = n in + i
For the species in this problem, we may write

23

n CH 4
n C2
n C2
n H 2O

n CH 4 = 2 mol CH 4

= 20.0 mol

= 18.0 mol
= 60.0 mol 2 = 60.0 (2)(18.0) = 24.0 mol O 2
= 20.0 mol + = 20.0 + 18.0 = 38.0 mol CO 2
= 0 + 2 = (2)(18.0) = 36.0 mol H 2 O

again, the previous solutions are obtained.

4.5. The Case of Recycle and Purge

4.5.1. Overall and Single Pass Conversion
Two definitions of conversion are used in the analysis of chemical reactors with product
separation and recycle of unconsumed reactants:

overall conversion =

reactant input to the process - reactant output from the process

reactant input to the process

single pass conversion =

reactant input to the reactor - reactant output from the reactor

reactant input to the reactor

EXAMPLE : Find the overall and single pass conversion of A ?

75 mol A/min

100 mol A/min

Reactor

25 mol A/min

Product
Separator

75 mol B/min

75 mol B/min

overall conversion of A =

(75 mol A/min) in - (0 mol A/min) out

100 = 100%
(75 mol A/min) in

single pass conversion of A =

(100 mol A/min) in - (25 mol A/min) out

100 = 75%
(100 mol A/min) in

24

4.5.2. Recycle and Purge

A material such as an inert gas or impurities which enter with the feed will remain in the
recycle stream. This material will accumulate and the process will never reach steady state.
To prevent this buildup, a portion of the recycle stream must be withdrawn as a purge
stream.

EXAMPLE: Dehydrogenation of Propane

Propane is dehydrogenated to from propylene in a catalytic reactor
C3 H 8 C3 H 6 + H 2
The process is to be designed for a 95% overall conversion of propane. The reaction products
are separated into two streams: the first, which contains H2, C3H6, and 0.555% of the propane
that leaves the reactor, is taken off as product; the second stream, which contains the balance
of the unreacted propane and 5% of the propylene in the product stream, is recycled to the
reactor. Calculate the composition of the product, the ratio (moles recycled)/(moles fresh
feed), and the single-pass conversion.

Solution

Basis : 100 mol Fresh Feed

Fresh feed
100 mol C3H8

100 + Qr1 mol C3H8

Qr2 mol C3H6

Reactor

P1 mol C3H8

Separation
Unit

P2 mol C3H6
P3 mol H2

Q1 mol C3H8
Q2 mol C3H6
Q2 mol H2

Qr1 mol C3H8

Qr2 mol C3H6

Note: In labeling the feed stream to the reactor, we have implicitly used balances on
propane and propylene about the stream junction.
In terms of the labeled variables, the quantities to be calculated are

Mole Fractions of Product Stream Components:

Recycle Ratio:

Qr1 + Qr 2
100

25

Q1
, ... etc.
Q1 + Q2 + Q3

Single-Pass Conversion:

( 100 + Qr 1 ) P1
( 100 + Qr 1 )

100%

We must therefore calculate the values of Q1, Q2, Q3, Qr1, Qr2 and P1.
Let us first examine the overall process.
Overall conversion = 95%

100 mol C 3 H 8 Q1
= 0.95
100 mol C 3 H 8

Q1 = 5 mol C 3 H 8
Overall Propane Balance:

input = output + consumption

100 mol C3H8 = 5 mol C3H8 + C (mol C3H8 reacted)

C = 95 mol C3H8 reacted

Overall Propylene Balance:

Q2 =

output = generation

95 mol C3H8 reacted 1 mol C3H 6 formed

1 mol C3H8 reacted

Q2 = 95 mol C3H 6
Similarly, overall H2 balance yields

Q3 = 95 mol H2
The analysis of the product is, therefore,
5 mol C3H8

2.6 % C3H8

95 mol C3H 6

48.7% C3H 6

95 mol H 2

48.7% H 2

195 mol total

We may now proceed to the analysis of the interior streams including the recycle stream.
First, we summarize the information given in the problem statement.

26

Q1 = 0.00555 P1
Qr 2 = 0.05 Q2

Q1 = 5 mol C 3 H 8

Q2 = 95 mol C 3 H 6

P1 = 900 mol C3H8

Qr 2 = 4.75 mol C3H 6

Next, write balances around the separation unit (which is nonreactive, so that input = output
for all species.)
C3H8 Balance About Separation Unit
P1 = Q1 + Qr1

P1 = 900 mol C3H8

Q1 = 5 mol C3H8

Qr1 = 895 mol C3H8

We now have all the variable values we need. The desired quantities are
Re cycle ratio =

9.00

(Qr1 + Qr 2 ) mol recycle

100 mol fresh feed
Qr1 = 895 mol
Qr 2 = 4.75 mol
mol recycle
mol fresh feed

Single pass conversion =

(100 + Qr 1 ) P1

100%
(100 + Qr 1 )
Qr 1 = 895 mol C 3 H 8

P1 = 900 mol C 3 H 8

9.55%

EXAMPLE: Recycle and Purge in the Synthesis of Ammonia

The fresh feed to an ammonia production process contains 24.75 mole % nitrogen, 74.25
mole% hydrogen, and the balance inerts (I). The feed is combined with a recycle stream
containing the same species, and the combined stream is fed to a reactor in which a 25%
single-pass conversion of nitrogen is achieved. The products pass through a condenser in
which essentially all of the ammonia is removed, and the remaining gases are recycled.
However, to prevent buildup of the inerts in the system, a purge stream must be taken off.
The recycle stream contains 12.5 mole% inerts. Calculate the overall conversion of nitrogen,
the ratio (moles purge gas/mole of gas leaving the condenser), and the ratio (moles fresh
feed/mole fed to the reactor).

27

Solution
Basis : 100 mol Fresh Feed.
N2 + 3H2 2NH3

n8(mol recycled)
0.125 I
x N2
0.875 - x H2

n7(mol purged)
n3 (mol. I)
n4 (mol N2)
n5 (mol H2)

0.125 I
x N2
0.875 - x H2

100 mol
n1 (mol N2)
n2 (mol H2)
n3 (mol I)

0.2475 N2
0.7425 H2
0.0100 I

Strategy:

Reactor

n4 (mol N2)
n5 (mol H2)
n6 (mol NH3)
n3 (mol I)

Condenser

n6 (mol NH3)

Overall N, H, I balances n6, n7, x overall conversion of N2

n6, 25% single pass conversion n1, n4
n7, x, n4, n2 balance around purge-recycle split point n8
H2, I balances around recycle-fresh mixing point n2, n3

Overall I balance:

(0.0100)(100) = 0.125 n7 n7 = 8.00 mol purge gas

Overall N balance : (100)(0.2475)(2) = 8.00 ( x) (2) + n 6

n 6 = 46.0 mol NH 3

x = 0.219 mol N 2 /mol

Overall H balance : (100)(0.7425)(2) = 8.00 (0.875 x) (2) + 3n 6
24.75 mol fed (0.219)(8.00) mol in effluent
Overall N 2 balance =
x 100% = 92.9%
24.75 mol fed

25% Single Pass Conversion :

n 1 mol N 2 fed 0.25 mol react 2 mol NH 3

= 46.0 mol NH 3
1 mol fed 1 mol N 2

n 1 = 92.0 mol N 2 feed to reactor

n 4 = (0.75)(92.0) = 69.0 mol N 2

28

N2 balance around purge-recycle split point:

H2 balance around mixing point:

69.0 = (0.219)n8 + (0.219)(8.00)

n8 = 307 mol recycled

(100)(0.7425) + (307) (0.875 - 0.219) = n2

n2 = 276 mol H2

I balance around mixing point: (100)(0.01) + (307)(0.125) = n3 n3 = 39.4 mol I

moles purge
8
=
= 0.025
moles leaving condenser 8 + 307

100
moles fresh feed
= 0.245
92 + 276 + 39.4
mol fed to reactor

EXAMPLE: Recycle and Purge in the Synthesis of Methanol

Methanol may be produced by the reaction of carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

CO 2 + 3 H 2 CH 3OH + H 2O
The fresh feed to the process contains hydrogen and carbon dioxide in stoichiometric
proportion, and 0.5 mole% inerts (I). The reactor effluent passes to a condenser, which
removes essentially all of the methanol and water formed, none of the reactants or inerts. The
latter substances are recycled to the reactor. To avoid build-up of the inerts in the system, a
purge stream is withdrawn from the recycle. The feed to the reactor contains 2% inerts, and
the single-pass conversion is 60%. Calculate the molar flow rates of the fresh feed, the total
feed to the reactor, and the purge stream for methanol production rate of 1000 mol/h.

Solution

Basis: 100 mol Combined Feed to the Reactor

As a general rule, the combined feed to the reactor is a convenient stream to use as a basis of
calculation for recycle problems, provided that its composition is known. Since in this
process the reactants are fed in stoichiometric proportion and they are never separated from
each other, they must be present in stoichiometric proportion throughout the process; that is,
(CO2/H2) = 1/3. The feed thus contains 2 mol I (2% of 100 mol), and 98 mol CO2 + H2, of
which 24.5 mol are CO2 (1/4 of 98) and 73.5 mol are H2.

29

n5 mol

n5 mol

x4 mol CO2 /mol

3x4 mol H2 /mol
(1-4x4) mol I/mol

x4 mol CO2 /mol

3x4 mol H2 /mol
(1-4x4) mol I/mol
n4 mol CO2 /mol
x4 mol CO2 /mol
3x4 mol H2 /mol
(1-4x4) mol I/mol

n0 mol

100 mol

0.249 mol CO2 /mol

0.746 mol H2 /mol
0.005 mol I/mol

Condenser

Reactor

24.5 mol CO2

75.5 mol H2
2
mol I

n1 mol CO2
3n1 mol H2
n2 mol CH3OH
n3 mol H2O
2 mol I

n2 mol CH3OH
n3 mol H2O

Take a moment to examine the chart labeling. In particular, notice that we have built in
facts that CO2 and H2 are always present in a 1:3 ratio and that the compositions of
gaseous effluent from the condenser, the purge stream, and the recycle stream are
identical. The more of this sort of information you can incorporate in the chart labeling,
easier the subsequent calculations become. Let us outline the solution, referring to
flowchart.

the
the
all
the
the

1. Calculate n1, n2, and n3, from the feed to the reactor, the single-pass conversion and reactor
balances.
2. Calculate n4, from a total mole balance about the condenser, and then x4 from a CO2
balance about the condenser.
3. Calculate n0, and n6, from balances on total moles and I about the recycle-fresh-feed
mixing point. (Two equations, two unknowns.) Then calculate n5, from a mole balance
about the recycle-purge split point.
4. Scale up the calculated flows of fresh feed, combined reactor feed, and purge streams by
the factor (1000/n2). The results will be the flow rates in mol/h corresponding to a
methanol production of 1000/h.

60% Single-Pass Conversion

n1 = 0.400(24.5) = 9.80 mol CO 2
3n1 = 29.4 mol H 2

0.600(24.5) = 14.7 mol CO 2 react

Balances on CH 3OH, H 2 O : output = generation
n2 = 14.7 mol CH 3OH
n3 = 14.7 mol H 2O

30

Mole Balance About Condenser

2 4 n1 + n2 + n3 = n2 + n3 + n4
substitute for n1
n4 = 41.2 mol
CO2 Balance About Condenser
n1 = n4 x4

x4 = (9.80 / 41.2) = 0.2379 mol CO 2 / mol

Mole Balance About Mixing Point
n0 + n6 =100
I Balance About Mixing Point

0.00500 n0 + n6 (1 4 x4 ) = 2
x4 = 0.2379
0.00500n0 + 0.0484n6 = 2
Solving the above two equations simultaneously yields
no = 65.4 mol fresh feed
n6 = 34.6 mol recycle
Mole balance About Purge Takeoff
n4 = n5 + n6

n5 = 41.2 34.6 = 6.6 mol purge

The required scale factor is

[(1000 mol / h ) / n2 mol]

31

n2 = 14.7

68.03 h 1

The desired flow rates are therefore

65.4 68.06 = 4450 mol fresh feed/h
100.0 68.03 = 6803 mol/h fed to reactor
6.6 68.03 = 449 mol/h purge

4.6. Combustion Reactions and Their Material Balances

4.6.1. Complete and Partial Combustion

Combustion is a rapid reaction of fuel with oxygen. Combustion products are CO2, NO, CO,
H2O, and SO2. In a combustion reaction if CO is formed, then the reaction is incomplete and
referred as incomplete combustion or partial combustion. During a complete combustion of
a fuel, carbon will be oxidized to CO2, hydrogen will be oxidized to H2O, and sulfur will be
oxidized to SO2.
C + O2 CO2

H2+O2 H2O

C + O2 CO,

S+O2 SO2

Complete and incomplete combustion of C3H8 are given by the following chemical reactions,
complete
C3H8 +5O2 3CO2 + 4H2O
incomplete

C3H8 + 7/2O2 3CO + 4H2O

4.6.2. Wet and Dry Basis

Product gas that leaves the combustion chamber is called stack or flue gas. Composition of a
flue gas is given on a wet (including water ) or dry basis (excluding water).

EXAMPLE: Suppose a stack gas contains equimolar amounts of CO2, N2 and H2O. Find the
composition on wet and dry basis?
Solution

Suppose we have n moles of each, then

32

composition of CO2 on wet basis =

composition of CO2 on dry basis =

moles of CO 2
100 = (n/3n)100 = 33.33%
total moles on wet basis

moles of CO 2
100 = (n/2n)100 = 50%.
total moles on dry basis

EXAMPLE: A stack gas contains 60 mole% N2, 15% CO2, 10% O2, and the balance H2O.
Calculate the molar composition of the gas on a dry basis.
Solution

Basis: 100 mol Wet Gas

60 mol N 2
15 mol CO 2
10 mol O 2
85 mol dry gas

60
mol N 2
= 0.706
85
mol dry gas
mol CO 2
15
= 0.176
mol dry gas
85
mol O 2
10
= 0.118
mol dry gas
85

EXAMPLE: Dry Basis Wet Basis

An Orsat analysis (a technique for stack gas analysis) yields the following dry basis
composition:
N2

65%

CO 2

14%

CO
O2

11%
10%

A humidity measurement shows that the mole fraction of H2O in the stack gas is 0.07.
Calculate the stack gas composition on a wet basis.

33

Solution

Basis: 100 lb-moles Dry Gas

0.07

lb mole H 2O
lb mole dry gas
0.93
lb mole wet gas
lb mole wet gas

0.07 lb mole H 2O / lb mole wet gas

lb mole H 2O
= 0.0753
0.93 lb mole dry gas / lb mole wet gas
lb mole dry gas
100 lb mole dry gas 0.0753 lb mole H 2O
= 7.53 lb moles H 2O
lb mole wet gas
100 lb mole dry gas 0.650 lb mole N 2
= 65.0 lb mole N 2
lb mole dry gas
(100)(0.140) = 14.0 lb mole CO 2
(100)(0.110) = 11.0 lb mole CO
10.00 lb mole O 2
(100)(0.100) =
107.5 lb mole wet gas

The mole fractions of each stack gas component may now easily be calculated:
y H 2O =

4.6.3.

7.53 lb moles H 2 O
lb moles H 2 O
= 0.070
,. . . etc.
lb moles wet gas
107.5 lb moles wet gas

Theoretical and Excess Air

Theoretical oxygen is the amount needed for complete combustion of reactants to form CO2
and H2O. Air that contains the theoretical amount of oxygen is called theoretical air.
Theoretical air does not depend on how much of a reactant is converted. The difference
between the amount of air initial fed and the theoretical air is known as excess air. Therefore,
percentage excess air is defined as,

% excess air = {[Air (fed) - Air (theoretical)]/Air (theoretical)}100.

EXAMPLE: Theoretical and Excess Air

One hundred mol per hour of butane (C4H10) and 5000 mol per hour of air are fed into a
combustion reactor. Calculate the percent excess air.

34

Solution

First, calculate the theoretical air from the feed rate of fuel and the stoichiometric equation
for complete combustion of butane.
13
O 2 4 CO 2 + 5 H 2O
2
100 mol C 4 H10 6.5 mol O 2 required
(O 2 ) theoretical =
h
mol C 4 H10
C 4 H10 +

mol O 2
h
650 mol O 2 4.76 mol air
mol air
=
= 3094
h
mol O 2
h

= 650
(air ) th
Hence
% excess air =

(air) fed (air) th

5000 3094
100% =
100% = 61.6%
(air) th
3094

If instead you had been given 61.6% excess air, you could have calculated
(air)fed = 1.616 (air)th = 1.616 (3094) = 5000 mol/h.

4.6.4. Combustion Material Balances

When doing material balances for combustion reactions, one should consider balances of the
followings:
a. inert N2 at both inlet and outlet
b. unreacted fuel
c. excess oxygen
d. combustion products CO2, H2), CO etc.
Suppose 15% excess of oxygen is fed,
oxygen fed = 1.15 theoretical oxygen
nitrogen fed = (79/21) oxygen fed
air fed = (100/21) oxygen fed

35

EXAMPLE: Combustion of Ethane

Ethane (C2H6) is burned with 50% excess air. The percentage conversion of the ethane is
90%; of the ethane burned, 25% reacts to form CO and the balance to form CO2. Calculate
the composition of the fuel gas and the ratio of water to dry fuel gas.
Solution

Basis: 100 mol Ethane Fed

q1 mol C 2 H 6

100 mol C2H6

q 2 mol O 2
q 3 mol N 2

50% excess air

Q mol O2
3.76Q mol N2

q 4 mol CO
q 5 mol CO 2
q 6 mol H 2 O

7
O 2 2 CO 2 + 3 H 2O
2
5
C2H 6 +
O 2 2 CO + 3 H 2O
2
C2H 6 +

Note:

1. Since no product stream mole fractions are known, subsequent calculations are easier if
individual component amounts rather than a total amount and mole fractions are labeled.
2. Known information about the composition of air has been used to label the incoming N2
79

stream 3.76 =
.
21

3. If the ethane reacted completely, q1 would be omitted.

4. Since excess air is supplied, O2 must appear in the product stream.
Theoretical O2
100 mol C 2 H 6 3.50 mol O 2
= 350 mol
1 mol C 2 H 6

O2 Fed

N2 Fed

Q = (1.5)(350 ) =

525 mol O 2 fed

(3.76)(525) = 1974 mol N2 fed

36

C2H6 Reacted

(0.90)(100) = 90 mol C2H6 reacted

C2H6 Balance

Output = input - consumption ==> q1 = 100 - 90 = 10 mol

N2 Balance

Input = output ==> 1974 mol N2 = q3

CO Balance

Output = generation
q4 =

0.25 x 90 mol C 2 H 6 react to form CO

2 mol CO formed
1 mol C 2 H 6 reacted

q4 = 45 mol CO
Atomic C Balance

Input = Output
C2H 6
100 mol C 2 H 6

CO

CO 2

678 678
678
2 mol C
= (q1 )(2 ) + (q4 )(1) + (q4 )(1)
1 mol C 2 H 6

q1 = 10
q4 = 45

q5 = 135 mol CO 2
Atomic H Balance

Input = Output
100 mol C 2 H 6

6 mol H
10 mol C 2 H 6
6 mol H
=
1 mol C 2 H 6
1 mol C 2 H 6
+

q 6 (mol H 2O)

q6 = 270 mol H 2O

37

2 mol H
1 mol H 2O

Atomic O Balance

Input = Output
525 mol O 2

2 mol O
45 mol C O 1 mol O
q ( mol O 2 ) 2 mol O
= 2
+
1 mol O 2
1 mol O 2
1 mol CO
+

135 mol CO 2

2 mol O
1 mol CO 2

270 mol H 2O

1 mol O
1 mol H 2O

q2 = 232 mol O 2

The analysis of the stack gas is now complete. Summarizing:

q1 = 10 mol C 2 H 6
q2 = 232 mol O 2
q3 = 1974 mol N 2
q4 = 45 mol CO
q5 = 135 mol CO 2
2396 mol dry gas
+ q6 = 270 mol H 2O
2666 mol total

Hence the flue gas composition on a dry basis is

y1 =

10 mol C 2 H 6
mol C 2 H 6
= 0.00417
2396 mol dry gas
mol

y2 =

232 mol O 2
mol O 2
= 0.0970
2396 mol dry gas
mol

y3 =

1974 mol N 2
mol N 2
= 0.824
2396 mol dry gas
mol

y4 =

45 mol CO
mol CO
= 0.019
2396 mol dry gas
mol

y5 =

135 mol CO 2
mol CO 2
= 0.0563
2396 mol dry gas
mol

38

and the mole ratio of water to dry flue gas is

270 mol H 2O
mol H 2O
= 0.113
2396 mol dry flue gas
mol dry flue gas

EXAMPLE: Combustion of a Natural Gas

A natural gas of an unknown composition is burned with air. An analysis of the product gas
yields the following results
0.130 mole H2O/mole wet gas
Orsat analysis of flue gas:

1.5% CO
6.0% CO2
8.2% O2
84.3% N2

Calculate the ratio of hydrogen to carbon in the gas, and speculate on what the gas might be.

Solution
Basis: 100 mol Dry Flue Gas
Since the composition of the fuel is unknown, label it as though carbon and hydrogen were
entering separately.

qH mol H
qC mol C

100 mol dry gas

0.015 mol CO / mol

0.060 mol CO 2 / mol

0.082 mol O / mol
2

0.843 mol N 2 / mol

qO2 mol O2
3.76 qO2 mol N2

Qw mol H2O

From the given mole fraction of water,

Qw =

100 mol dry gas 0.130 mol H 2O

= 14.9 mol H 2O
0.870 mol dry gas

39

Atomic Carbon Balance

qc =

100 mol flue gas 0.015 mol CO 1 mol C

mol flue gas 1 mol CO
C in CO 2
64
4744
8
+ (100 )(0.06 )(1) = 7.5 mol C

Atomic H Balance

qH =

Q w (mol H 2 O) 2 mol H
= 2 14.9 = 29.8 mol H
mol H 2 O

from which

qH
29.8 mol H
mol H
=
= 3.97
qC
7.5 mol C
mol C
The natural gas may therefore be written with the formula (CH3.97)n. Since there is only one
hydrocarbon for which the ratio of H to C is close to 3.97 - that is, CH4 - we may conclude in
this case that the natural gas is essentially pure methane, with perhaps trace amounts of other
hydrocarbons. [If we had obtained, say, qH/qC 2, we could have gone no further than to
write the fuel as (CH2)n: from the information given, there would have been no way to
distinguish between C2H4, C3H6, a mixture of CH4 and C2H2, etc].

40

References
1.

Felder, R. and Rousseau, R. W., Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, 2nd ed.,
John Wily & Sons, 1986.

2.

Himmelblau, D. M., Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering, 4th ed.,
Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1982.

3.

Perry, R. H. and Green, D., Perrys Chemical Engineering Handbook, 6th ed., McGraw
Hill, New York, 1984.

4.

Al-Amer, M. J., Session 1 of a Short Course on Introduction to Chemical Engineering

for Non-Chemical Engineers, KFUPM, Dhahran, 1998.

41