ENGG10033

START OF PAPER

ATTEMPT THREE QUESTIONS

1. Nitrogen adsorption was used to determine the surface area of a silica gel. The
adsorbed volume of nitrogen in 30g of silica gel is given at different pressures:

P (kPa) 5 6.3 7.5 9 11.2 18.7 30.7 38 42.7

V (ml) 7.7 8 8.2 8.4 8.7 9.5 10.9 11.7 12.5

The saturation pressure of nitrogen is 101.3 kPa at the experiment temperature.

a) Calculate the volume of the monolayer and the BET constant. (12)

b) Calculate the specific surface area of the silica gel (m2 g-1). (8)

Data:

Density of N2: ρ=0.808 g ml-1

Surface area per adsorbed N2 molecule is 16.2·10-20 m2
Molecular weight of N2: MW=28 g mol-1
Avogadro’s number = 6.023·1023
BET isotherm:

𝑃 1 (𝐶 − 1)𝑃
= +
𝑉(𝑃0 − 𝑃) 𝑉𝑚 𝐶 𝑉𝑚 𝐶 𝑃𝑜

where P is the pressure (kPa), V is the adsorbed volume (ml), Po is

the saturation pressure (kPa), Vm is the volume of the monolayer
(ml) and C is the BET constant.

Page 2 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

2. In the production of biodiesel from vegetable oils, a common catalyst used is

KNO3 over fly ash. The catalyst is prepared using stablished method of wet
impregnation.

a) Explain the preparation method of the catalyst. What is the function

of the fly ash and the potassium nitrate? (8)

b) The production of biodiesel with KNO3/fly ash catalyst, is a

homogeneous or a heterogeneous catalytic system? Justify your
answer. (2)

c) The image below corresponds to two catalyst samples from different

preparation experiments.
Discuss the issues you can identify in each system situation on both
images. Do you identify any problem(s)?

(4)

d) The table below shows the results from the biodiesel production
experiment for different KNO3 concentrations. Discuss the results
obtained. Which concentration would you choose to use on
industrial scale? Justify your answer. (6)

Surface area Oil to biodiesel

% KNO3 wt/wt
(m2 g-1) conversion (%)
5 0.55 35
10 0.78 60
15 0.53 86
20 0.45 88

Page 3 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

3. The endothermic elementary reaction of A with B takes place in a batch reactor.

The reactor is fitted with a coil that could be used for steam to heat the reactor
or water to cool the reactor.
The feed is quickly heated to a temperature of 120°C before the steam flow is
stopped and the reaction is allowed to proceed adiabatically.

Kinetic studies showed that the reaction rate constant is given by:

49884
𝑘 = 2.0 × 105 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (− ) 𝑚3 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 𝑠 −1
𝑅𝑇
a) Derive the mass and energy balances for the reactor. (8)

b) Calculate the conversion achieved and the reactor temperature

after 15 minutes. (12)

Data:

Reactor volume = 0.75 m3

Density of reaction mixture = 980 kg m-3.
Mixture average heat capacity = 2.4 kJ kg-1 K-1.
Heat of reaction = 95,000 kJ per kmol of A converting.
CAo = 2.0 kmol m-3.
CBo = 2.0 kmol m-3.

Page 4 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

4. The third order conversion of reactant A into product B is carried out in

a jacketed continuous stirred tank reactor 2.5 m3 in volume.

The reaction stoichiometry stipulates that 3 molecules of A combine to

give a single molecule of B.

With the reaction being endothermic, saturated steam at 133.5°C is

condensed in the jacket to provide the necessary heat for the reaction.
The heat transfer area is 6.0 m2 and the overall heat transfer coefficient
(U) is 300 W m-2K-1.

The feed enters the reactor at 120ºC and a flow rate of 50 litres per
second. The concentration of A in the feed stream is 2.0 kmol m-3.
The specific gravity of the reaction mixture is 0.96 and its mean heat
capacity is 3.2 kJ kg-1K-1.

a) Develop the mass and energy balances for the system. (8)

b) Calculate the conversion achieved and the reactor

temperature. (12)

Data:

Average heat of reaction: 4500 kJ kmol-1

Reaction Rate constant: 𝑘 = 2.0 ×
7200
106 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (− ) (𝑚3 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 )2 𝑠 −1
𝑇

END OF PAPER
Techniques for Numerical Integration and Numerical Solution of First Order
Differential Equations Follow

Page 5 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for Numerical Integration

Rectangular Rule:
b n
f ( x) dx h f ( xi )
a i 0

where n is the number of intervals (rectangles), f(xi) is the value of the function at the
ith point, and h is the width of the interval (or the step):
b a
h
n
Trapezoidal Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx f ( xo ) 2 f ( x1 ) 2 f ( x2 ) L 2 f ( xn 1 ) f ( xn )
a
2

Simpson’s Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx { f ( xo ) 4 f ( x1 ) 2 f ( x2 ) 4 f ( x3 ) 2 f ( x4 )
a
3
L 2 f ( xn 2 ) 4 f ( xn 1 ) f ( xn )}

Page 6 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for 1st order differential equations

Euler Method:
For the differential equation
dy
f ( x, y )
dx
b a
h x
n
yi 1 yi h f ( xi , yi )
xi 1 xi h
i 0,1,2,3,..., n

Runge-Kutta Method:
For the differential equation
dy
f ( x, y )
dx
1
yi 1 yi k1 2k2 2k3 k4
6
xi 1 xi h
b a
h x
n
k1 h f( x i , y i )
1 1
k2 h f ( xi h, yi k1 )
2 2
1 1
k3 h f ( xi h, yi k2 )
2 2
k4 h f ( xi h, yi k3 )

Page 7 of 7
ENGG10033

START OF PAPER

ATTEMPT THREE QUESTIONS

1. a) Derive the Langmuir isotherm and explain each term in the equation. (8)

b) The data points below are for the adsorption of CO on charcoal at

273 K. Verify that they fit the Langmuir isotherm and find the volume
equivalent to a monolayer coverage and the equilibrium constant K.

P (Torr) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

V (cm3) 10.2 18.6 25.5 31.5 36.9 41.6 46.1 (12)

2. The exothermic reaction 2A → B + C is carried out in a perfectly lagged batch

stirred tank reactor. The reaction is elementary and second order in A.
The feed to the reactor contains A (0.2 kmol m-3) and no B or C. The initial
reaction temperature is 80°C.

a) Derive the energy and mass balance equations for the reactor. (8)

b) Calculate the batch time necessary to achieve 90% conversion. (12)

Data:

(∆Hr) = 600 MJ kmol-1

CP(av) = 3.2 kJ kg-1 K-1
ρ = 1050 kg m-3
(∆E) = 50 MJ kmol-1
Reaction rate constant (k) = 0.1 m3 kmol-1 s-1 (at 400K)

Page 2 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

3. a) To remove nitrogen oxides (assume to be NO) from automobile

exhaust, the following reaction has been proposed, where unburnt
CO is used to reduce NO over a solid catalyst:
𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑡 1
𝐶𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂 → 𝑁 + 𝐶𝑂2
2 2
Experimental data for a particular catalyst indicate that the reaction
rate can be represented by:
𝑘 𝑃𝑁 𝑃𝐶
(−𝑟) =
(1 + 𝐾1 𝑃𝑁 + 𝐾2 𝑃𝑐 )2
where
PN = partial pressure of NO
PC = partial pressure of CO
k, K1, K2 = coefficients depending only in temperature

According to the rate expression, discuss which species are

absorbed on to the catalyst. Are these species absorbed in the same
active sites? (5)
b) Explain the methods for the deposition of the active compound onto
the support during the preparation of solid catalysts. (9)
c) In heterogeneous catalysis when the film resistance is much greater
than the other resistances, the overall rate of reaction is limited by
the rate of movement of reactants to the catalyst surface:

( −rA ) = kc ( CAo − CAs )

The mass transfer coefficient (kc) could be calculated based on the
Frössling correlation:
2 3 ⁄
𝐷𝐴𝐵 𝑈
𝑘𝑐 = 0.6 × 1⁄6 × ( )
𝜈 𝑑𝑝
where DAB is the diffusivity (m² s-1), is the kinematic viscosity (m² s-
1), U is the fluid velocity (m s-1) and dp is the particle size (m).

With the aid of a sketch, discuss the variation on the rate of reaction
with the term (U/dp) (6)

Page 3 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

4. The irreversible gas phase conversion of A into B is carried out in a shell and
tube fixed bed catalytic reactor. The reactor consists of 500 tubes of 2 cm
diameter. A pure feed of A is added at the rate of 0.4 m3 s-1.

Clearly stating any assumption you make:

a) Derive the mass and energy balances for a fixed bed catalytic
reactor using the one-dimensional homogeneous model.
Clearly define all symbols used. (8)

b) Calculate the length of the reactor corresponding to 60%

conversion of A if the reactor is kept isothermal at 400°C. (12)

Data:

(-rA) = 3.1 x 106 exp (-15000/T) CA kmol kg cat-1 s-1

Heat of reaction = -2 x 105 kJ (kmol of A)-1
Catalyst particle solid density: 1600 kg m-3
Bed voidage: 0.4
Process stream mass density: 5 kg m-3
Process stream molar density: 0.04 kmol A m-3
Process stream viscosity = 5 x 10-5 kg m-2 s-1
Overall heat transfer coefficient: 300 W m-2 K-1

END OF PAPER
Techniques for Numerical Integration and Numerical Solution of First Order
Differential Equations Follow

Page 4 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for Numerical Integration

Rectangular Rule:
b n
f ( x) dx h f ( xi )
a i =0

where n is the number of intervals (rectangles), f(xi) is the value of the function at the
ith point, and h is the width of the interval (or the step):
b−a
h=
n
Trapezoidal Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx f ( xo ) + 2 f ( x1 ) + 2 f ( x2 ) + L + 2 f ( xn −1 ) + f ( xn )
a
2
Simpson’s Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx { f ( xo ) + 4 f ( x1 ) + 2 f ( x2 ) + 4 f ( x3 ) + 2 f ( x4 ) +
a
3
L + 2 f ( xn − 2 ) + 4 f ( xn −1 ) + f ( xn )}

Page 5 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for 1st order differential equations

Euler Method:
For the differential equation
dy
= f ( x, y )
dx
b−a
h = x=
n
yi +1 = yi + h f ( xi , yi )
xi +1 = xi + h
i = 0,1, 2,3,..., n

Runge-Kutta Method:
For the differential equation
dy
= f ( x, y )
dx
1
yi +1 = yi + ( k1 + 2k2 + 2k3 + k4 )
6
xi +1 = xi + h
b−a
h = x=
n
k1 = h f( x i , y i )
1 1
k2 = h f ( xi + h, yi + k1 )
2 2
1 1
k3 = h f ( xi + h, yi + k2 )
2 2
k4 = h f ( xi + h, yi + k3 )

Page 6 of 6
ENGG10033

Start of Exam Paper

1. a) Sketch the energy changes taking place along with the different steps in
a simple exothermic catalytic reaction compared with a non-catalytic
reaction. Explain the different steps in both reaction paths.
(8)
b) The data in Table Q1 is for the adsorption of a gas A on a porous catalyst
at 0°C.
Verify that the data set fits a BET isotherm and determine the volume of
a monolayer for a saturation pressure of A of 430 kPa.

Table Q1. Adsorption data

P (kPa) V absorbed (cm3)

14 12.0
38 13.5
65 14.9
79 15.5
86 15.9
100 16.5
110 17.0
(12)

Page 2 of 3 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

2. Figure Q2 shows the distribution of the reactant concentration within a

catalyst pore at different values of the Thiele modulus. Discuss the internal
resistance of mass transfer in this catalytic process basing your analysis on
this figure. Identify and define all the parameters shown and explain their role
in catalysis.

(20)
Figure Q2. Concentration profile through pore length.

3. a) Under what circumstances would the Guggenheim method be a useful (3)

means of gathering reaction kinetics data?
b) Starting with a first order reaction, derive the graphical criteria that
employing the Guggenheim method will reveal. (7)
c) The electrical conductivity of an aqueous solution is monitored at
constant temperature while a first order reaction proceeds. Using the
data below, find the rate constant of this reaction.
Time (min) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Conductivity (mS cm–1) 9.7 29.6 41.4 49.5 53.1 55.9 57.7 (10)

End of Exam Paper

Page 3 of 3
ENGG10033

START OF PAPER

ATTEMPT THREE QUESTIONS

1. Nitrogen adsorption was used to determine the surface area of a silica gel. The
adsorbed volume of nitrogen in 30g of silica gel is given at different pressures:

P (kPa) 5 6.3 7.5 9 11.2 18.7 30.7 38 42.7

V (ml) 7.7 8 8.2 8.4 8.7 9.5 10.9 11.7 12.5

The saturation pressure of nitrogen is 101.3 kPa at the experiment temperature.

a) Calculate the volume of the monolayer and the BET constant. (12)

b) Calculate the specific surface area of the silica gel (m2 g-1). (8)

Data:

Density of N2: ρ=0.808 g ml-1

Surface area per adsorbed N2 molecule is 16.2·10-20 m2
Molecular weight of N2: MW=28 g mol-1
Avogadro’s number = 6.023·1023
BET isotherm:

𝑃 1 (𝐶 − 1)𝑃
= +
𝑉(𝑃0 − 𝑃) 𝑉𝑚 𝐶 𝑉𝑚 𝐶 𝑃𝑜

where P is the pressure (kPa), V is the adsorbed volume (ml), Po is

the saturation pressure (kPa), Vm is the volume of the monolayer
(ml) and C is the BET constant.

Page 2 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

2. In the production of biodiesel from vegetable oils, a common catalyst used is

KNO3 over fly ash. The catalyst is prepared using stablished method of wet
impregnation.

a) Explain the preparation method of the catalyst. What is the function

of the fly ash and the potassium nitrate? (8)

b) The production of biodiesel with KNO3/fly ash catalyst, is a

homogeneous or a heterogeneous catalytic system? Justify your
answer. (2)

c) The image below corresponds to two catalyst samples from different

preparation experiments.
Discuss the issues you can identify in each system situation on both
images. Do you identify any problem(s)?

(4)

d) The table below shows the results from the biodiesel production
experiment for different KNO3 concentrations. Discuss the results
obtained. Which concentration would you choose to use on
industrial scale? Justify your answer. (6)

Surface area Oil to biodiesel

% KNO3 wt/wt
(m2 g-1) conversion (%)
5 0.55 35
10 0.78 60
15 0.53 86
20 0.45 88

Page 3 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

3. The endothermic elementary reaction of A with B takes place in a batch reactor.

The reactor is fitted with a coil that could be used for steam to heat the reactor
or water to cool the reactor.
The feed is quickly heated to a temperature of 120°C before the steam flow is
stopped and the reaction is allowed to proceed adiabatically.

Kinetic studies showed that the reaction rate constant is given by:

49884
𝑘 = 2.0 × 105 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (− ) 𝑚3 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 𝑠 −1
𝑅𝑇
a) Derive the mass and energy balances for the reactor. (8)

b) Calculate the conversion achieved and the reactor temperature

after 15 minutes. (12)

Data:

Reactor volume = 0.75 m3

Density of reaction mixture = 980 kg m-3.
Mixture average heat capacity = 2.4 kJ kg-1 K-1.
Heat of reaction = 95,000 kJ per kmol of A converting.
CAo = 2.0 kmol m-3.
CBo = 2.0 kmol m-3.

Page 4 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

4. The third order conversion of reactant A into product B is carried out in

a jacketed continuous stirred tank reactor 2.5 m3 in volume.

The reaction stoichiometry stipulates that 3 molecules of A combine to

give a single molecule of B.

With the reaction being endothermic, saturated steam at 133.5°C is

condensed in the jacket to provide the necessary heat for the reaction.
The heat transfer area is 6.0 m2 and the overall heat transfer coefficient
(U) is 300 W m-2K-1.

The feed enters the reactor at 120ºC and a flow rate of 50 litres per
second. The concentration of A in the feed stream is 2.0 kmol m-3.
The specific gravity of the reaction mixture is 0.96 and its mean heat
capacity is 3.2 kJ kg-1K-1.

a) Develop the mass and energy balances for the system. (8)

b) Calculate the conversion achieved and the reactor

temperature. (12)

Data:

Average heat of reaction: 4500 kJ kmol-1

Reaction Rate constant: 𝑘 = 2.0 ×
7200
106 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (− ) (𝑚3 𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 )2 𝑠 −1
𝑇

END OF PAPER
Techniques for Numerical Integration and Numerical Solution of First Order
Differential Equations Follow

Page 5 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for Numerical Integration

Rectangular Rule:
b n
f ( x) dx h f ( xi )
a i 0

where n is the number of intervals (rectangles), f(xi) is the value of the function at the
ith point, and h is the width of the interval (or the step):
b a
h
n
Trapezoidal Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx f ( xo ) 2 f ( x1 ) 2 f ( x2 ) L 2 f ( xn 1 ) f ( xn )
a
2

Simpson’s Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx { f ( xo ) 4 f ( x1 ) 2 f ( x2 ) 4 f ( x3 ) 2 f ( x4 )
a
3
L 2 f ( xn 2 ) 4 f ( xn 1 ) f ( xn )}

Page 6 of 7 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for 1st order differential equations

Euler Method:
For the differential equation
dy
f ( x, y )
dx
b a
h x
n
yi 1 yi h f ( xi , yi )
xi 1 xi h
i 0,1,2,3,..., n

Runge-Kutta Method:
For the differential equation
dy
f ( x, y )
dx
1
yi 1 yi k1 2k2 2k3 k4
6
xi 1 xi h
b a
h x
n
k1 h f( x i , y i )
1 1
k2 h f ( xi h, yi k1 )
2 2
1 1
k3 h f ( xi h, yi k2 )
2 2
k4 h f ( xi h, yi k3 )

Page 7 of 7
ENGG10033

START OF PAPER

ATTEMPT THREE QUESTIONS

1. a) Derive the Langmuir isotherm and explain each term in the equation. (8)

b) The data points below are for the adsorption of CO on charcoal at

273 K. Verify that they fit the Langmuir isotherm and find the volume
equivalent to a monolayer coverage and the equilibrium constant K.

P (Torr) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

V (cm3) 10.2 18.6 25.5 31.5 36.9 41.6 46.1 (12)

2. The exothermic reaction 2A → B + C is carried out in a perfectly lagged batch

stirred tank reactor. The reaction is elementary and second order in A.
The feed to the reactor contains A (0.2 kmol m-3) and no B or C. The initial
reaction temperature is 80°C.

a) Derive the energy and mass balance equations for the reactor. (8)

b) Calculate the batch time necessary to achieve 90% conversion. (12)

Data:

(∆Hr) = 600 MJ kmol-1

CP(av) = 3.2 kJ kg-1 K-1
ρ = 1050 kg m-3
(∆E) = 50 MJ kmol-1
Reaction rate constant (k) = 0.1 m3 kmol-1 s-1 (at 400K)

Page 2 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

3. a) To remove nitrogen oxides (assume to be NO) from automobile

exhaust, the following reaction has been proposed, where unburnt
CO is used to reduce NO over a solid catalyst:
𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑡 1
𝐶𝑂 + 𝑁𝑂 → 𝑁 + 𝐶𝑂2
2 2
Experimental data for a particular catalyst indicate that the reaction
rate can be represented by:
𝑘 𝑃𝑁 𝑃𝐶
(−𝑟) =
(1 + 𝐾1 𝑃𝑁 + 𝐾2 𝑃𝑐 )2
where
PN = partial pressure of NO
PC = partial pressure of CO
k, K1, K2 = coefficients depending only in temperature

According to the rate expression, discuss which species are

absorbed on to the catalyst. Are these species absorbed in the same
active sites? (5)
b) Explain the methods for the deposition of the active compound onto
the support during the preparation of solid catalysts. (9)
c) In heterogeneous catalysis when the film resistance is much greater
than the other resistances, the overall rate of reaction is limited by
the rate of movement of reactants to the catalyst surface:

( −rA ) = kc ( CAo − CAs )

The mass transfer coefficient (kc) could be calculated based on the
Frössling correlation:
2 3 ⁄
𝐷𝐴𝐵 𝑈
𝑘𝑐 = 0.6 × 1⁄6 × ( )
𝜈 𝑑𝑝
where DAB is the diffusivity (m² s-1), is the kinematic viscosity (m² s-
1), U is the fluid velocity (m s-1) and dp is the particle size (m).

With the aid of a sketch, discuss the variation on the rate of reaction
with the term (U/dp) (6)

Page 3 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

4. The irreversible gas phase conversion of A into B is carried out in a shell and
tube fixed bed catalytic reactor. The reactor consists of 500 tubes of 2 cm
diameter. A pure feed of A is added at the rate of 0.4 m3 s-1.

Clearly stating any assumption you make:

a) Derive the mass and energy balances for a fixed bed catalytic
reactor using the one-dimensional homogeneous model.
Clearly define all symbols used. (8)

b) Calculate the length of the reactor corresponding to 60%

conversion of A if the reactor is kept isothermal at 400°C. (12)

Data:

(-rA) = 3.1 x 106 exp (-15000/T) CA kmol kg cat-1 s-1

Heat of reaction = -2 x 105 kJ (kmol of A)-1
Catalyst particle solid density: 1600 kg m-3
Bed voidage: 0.4
Process stream mass density: 5 kg m-3
Process stream molar density: 0.04 kmol A m-3
Process stream viscosity = 5 x 10-5 kg m-2 s-1
Overall heat transfer coefficient: 300 W m-2 K-1

END OF PAPER
Techniques for Numerical Integration and Numerical Solution of First Order
Differential Equations Follow

Page 4 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for Numerical Integration

Rectangular Rule:
b n
f ( x) dx h f ( xi )
a i =0

where n is the number of intervals (rectangles), f(xi) is the value of the function at the
ith point, and h is the width of the interval (or the step):
b−a
h=
n
Trapezoidal Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx f ( xo ) + 2 f ( x1 ) + 2 f ( x2 ) + L + 2 f ( xn −1 ) + f ( xn )
a
2
Simpson’s Rule:
b
h
f ( x) dx { f ( xo ) + 4 f ( x1 ) + 2 f ( x2 ) + 4 f ( x3 ) + 2 f ( x4 ) +
a
3
L + 2 f ( xn − 2 ) + 4 f ( xn −1 ) + f ( xn )}

Page 5 of 6 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

Techniques for 1st order differential equations

Euler Method:
For the differential equation
dy
= f ( x, y )
dx
b−a
h = x=
n
yi +1 = yi + h f ( xi , yi )
xi +1 = xi + h
i = 0,1, 2,3,..., n

Runge-Kutta Method:
For the differential equation
dy
= f ( x, y )
dx
1
yi +1 = yi + ( k1 + 2k2 + 2k3 + k4 )
6
xi +1 = xi + h
b−a
h = x=
n
k1 = h f( x i , y i )
1 1
k2 = h f ( xi + h, yi + k1 )
2 2
1 1
k3 = h f ( xi + h, yi + k2 )
2 2
k4 = h f ( xi + h, yi + k3 )

Page 6 of 6
ENGG10033

Start of Exam Paper

1. a) Sketch the energy changes taking place along with the different steps in
a simple exothermic catalytic reaction compared with a non-catalytic
reaction. Explain the different steps in both reaction paths.
(8)
b) The data in Table Q1 is for the adsorption of a gas A on a porous catalyst
at 0°C.
Verify that the data set fits a BET isotherm and determine the volume of
a monolayer for a saturation pressure of A of 430 kPa.

Table Q1. Adsorption data

P (kPa) V absorbed (cm3)

14 12.0
38 13.5
65 14.9
79 15.5
86 15.9
100 16.5
110 17.0
(12)

Page 2 of 3 Continued overleaf

ENGG10033

2. Figure Q2 shows the distribution of the reactant concentration within a

catalyst pore at different values of the Thiele modulus. Discuss the internal
resistance of mass transfer in this catalytic process basing your analysis on
this figure. Identify and define all the parameters shown and explain their role
in catalysis.

(20)
Figure Q2. Concentration profile through pore length.

3. a) Under what circumstances would the Guggenheim method be a useful (3)

means of gathering reaction kinetics data?
b) Starting with a first order reaction, derive the graphical criteria that
employing the Guggenheim method will reveal. (7)
c) The electrical conductivity of an aqueous solution is monitored at
constant temperature while a first order reaction proceeds. Using the
data below, find the rate constant of this reaction.
Time (min) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Conductivity (mS cm–1) 9.7 29.6 41.4 49.5 53.1 55.9 57.7 (10)

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