Experimental Results

During the first week, data was collected for the bypass run by varying the helium flow rate.
Hence, determining the amount of isopropanol being carried out of the system with the different
flow rates used.
Area peak readings were recorded from the gas chromatograph, where only readings for
isopropanol were shown because the system was in Bypass therefore no reaction was occurring.
In Figure 2, it can be observed that with the increase in helium flow the isopropanol area
remains fairly constant, yet at a certain point between the 300 and 400 flow designated by the red
point indicates that the assumption of saturation is past valid range.
62
61
60
59

Isopropnol Area

58
57
56
55

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Helium flow (cc/min)

Figure 1. Bypass run results by plotting isopropanol area vs. helium flow (cc/min) with uniform error
bars of 1.07

In order to calculate the conversion factor, the isopropanol areas with and without the reaction
are to be compared. During week one, only one reaction run was conducted. It was conducted at
a temperature of 210 C

and a helium flow rate of 120 cc/min. This reaction resulted in three

peak areas as seen in Table 1.

Temperature C
Rotameter He Flow (cc/min) IPA Area Propylene Area Acetone Area
210
30
120
7.8105
1.272
50.869
Table 1. Reaction run parameters and results

Whereas the total conversion ( X tot ) found will be calculated by Eqn. 9 resulting in a total
conversion of of 0.87
Also, a conversion of isopropanol to acetone was calculated by Eqn. 10 which gives us a
conversion of 0.845
~
Lastly, ratios of selectivity ( S A , P given by acetone and propylene area peaks were calculated
from Eqn. 11 and gives a value of 39.99
In conclusion, the conversion and selectivity values found yielded to an excellent reaction.
Further reaction runs will be conducted for week two in order to obtain additional selectivity
ratios and conversion factors as functions of feed flow rate and temperature.
Sample calculations
The following calculations are taken from the reaction run at temperature of 210 C
cc
helium flow rate of 120 min
The total conversion
A IPA ,feed

X tot

cc
and bypass run of the helium flow rate of 120 min
is calculated by

A IPA ,

A IPA ,feed
X tot =

X tot =

60.1897.8105
60.189

X tot =0.87
The conversion of isopropanol to acetone

X i was calculated by
X i=

Ai
A IPA , feed

and a

X i=

50.869
60.189

X i=0.85
The selectivity ratio

~
S Ace

is calculated by

F
~
S Ace = ace
F
50.869
~
S Ace =
1.272
~
S Ace =39.99

Raw Data
Temperature C
Rotameter He Flow (cc/min) IPA Area Propylene Area Acetone Area
210
30
120
7.8105
1.272
50.869
Table 2. Reaction run parameters and results

Rotarmet
er
10

He Flow
(cc/min)
18

20
30
40
50
60

55
120
240
343
428

IPA Area
61.386
61.589 1.067038
39
62.929
60.331
61.2845
60.189
59.988
60.39
57.2135

Table 2. Bypass run parameters and results with standard deviation

62
61
60
59

Isopropnol Area

58
57
56
55

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Helium flow (cc/min)

Figure 2. Bypass run results by plotting isopropanol area vs. helium flow (cc/min) with uniform error
bars of 1.07