We can start our calculation from the distillation column because the given basis is the output of

distillation column (Stream 15). The problem can be solved by using single-unit process material
balance calculation. The degree of freedom analysis is as below :

7 unknown labelled variables [H2O(S12), NO(S12), HNO3(S12), H2O(S15), NO(S15), NO(S14),

HNO3(S14)]

- 3 mass balance equations (H2O,NO,HNO3)

- 1 process specification (contains 95% of the HNO3(S12) fed into the column

3 (cannot be solved but 2 unknowns can be found)

From the unknowns found from the calculation of distillation column, calculation for the reactor can be
solved by using molecular species balance. The degree of freedom analysis is as below :

3 unknown labelled variable [NO2(S11), HNO3(S12), H2O(S12)]

+ 1 independent chemical reaction (3NO2 + H2O 2HNO3)

- 3 independent molecular species balance (NO2, HNO3, H2O)

- 1 other equation relating unknown variable (100% HNO3 has reacted)

From the calculation of the reactor, some of the unknowns for distillation column can be calculated.
Then, we proceeded with the calculation of unknown variables at the absorber by using single-unit
material balance calculation method. Although the molar flowrates were known for each species at
S11(from absorber to reactor) and a process specification is given (S10 contains 75% of NO 2 fed to
the absorber, only a few unknowns were able to be solved. For S9, the molar flowrates of each
species can only be found using Oxidiser 2. The degree of freedom analysis of absorber is as below:

8 unknown labelled variable [H2O(S13), O2(S10), N2(S10), NH3(S10), NO(S10),H2O(S10),

NO2(S10)]

- 6 mass balance equation (H2O, O2, N2, NH3, NO, NO2)

- 2 process spec (98% of water fed in absorption tower, 75% of NO₂ fed to column)

For Oxidiser 2, we used the fractional conversion of NO (fNO =73%) at Oxidizer 2 to find the unknown
variables of NO at S7. The values obtained and fractional conversion of NH 3 at Oxidizer 1 (fNH3 = 96%)
and condenser were used to calculate the flowrates of NH3 at S3 and S4. The reactions are as
follows:

7 unknowns labelled variable [O2(S8), NO(S7), O2(S9), N2(S9), NH3(S9), NO(S7), NO2(S9)] +1
independent reaction - 5 independent nonreactive species (O2, NO, N2, NH3, NO2,) - 3 other
equations relating unknown variables (f NO=73%, theoretical oxygen, excess air 50%) = 0

After calculating the unknowns at absorber, we can continue with calculation at the mixer using
single-unit material balance to find the molar flowrates at Stream 1 and Stream 3. The degree of
freedom analysis is as below:

4 unknown labelled variable [NH3, Air, O2, N2] - 3 mass balance equation [NH3,O2,N2] - 1 process
specification (ratio 1:9 ammonia vapour/compressed and filtered fresh area mixture) = 0 (can be
solved). For Stream 4 the unknowns can be solved using the method of extent of reaction. We can
also the other unknowns for Stream 7 at Oxidiser 2 using method of extent of reaction.