SECTION A (40 marks)

Instructions: Answer ALL questions

1. A liquid mixture is distilled in a distillation tower to produce equal mass flow rates in the
overhead and bottom products. The mixture contains 60% mass of ethanol (C2H5OH), 5%
mass of common salt, sodium chloride (NaCl) and 35% mass of water (H2O). The
overhead product stream contains 90% mass ethanol and does not contain any salt. The
molar masses of the components are given in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1

Component Molar mass

C2H5OH 46

NaCl 58.5

H2O 18

a. Draw a process flow diagram of this process and label it appropriately.

FT = FB
wTE = 0.9
wTW Top product
wTG = 0

Feed Distillation
Tower
FF
wFE = 0.6 FB
wFW = 0.35 wBE Bottom product
wFG = 0.05 wBW
wBG

(5 marks)
b. Perform a degree of freedom analysis.
Variables: FF wFE wFW FT wTE wTW FT wBE wBW
Number of independent variables = 9
Number of components = 3 (ethanol, water, salt)
 KKKR1144

Number of independent material balance equations = 3

Number of variables given values = 5
Number of flow rate relationship = 1
Degree of freedom = Number of independent variables – Number of independent material
balance equations – Number of variables given values - Number of flow relationship
=9–3–5–1=0
(5 marks)

c. What is the fractional recovery of ethanol in the overhead product?

Fractional recovery of ethanol in overhead project
𝐹𝑇 𝑤𝑇𝐸 𝐹𝑇 (0.9) 𝐹𝑇
𝜁𝐸 = = = 1.5
𝐹𝐹 𝑤𝐹𝐸 𝐹𝐹 (0.6) 𝐹𝐹
Now, it is given that 𝐹𝑇 = 𝐹𝐵
Total mass balance 𝐹𝐹 = 𝐹𝑇 + 𝐹𝐵
Then, substituting 𝐹𝐹 = 2𝐹𝑇
Substituting in the ethanol recovery equation
𝐹𝑇
𝜁𝐸 = 1.5 = 0.75
2𝐹𝑇
The fractional recovery of ethanol is 0.75
(5 marks)

d. Calculate the mole fraction of the salt in the bottom product.

Basis: 1,000 kg h-1 feed
𝐹𝐹 = 1000 kg h−1
Then 𝐹𝐵 = 𝐹𝑇 = 𝐹𝐹 ⁄2 = 1000⁄2 = 500 kg h−1
Salt material balance 𝐹𝐹 𝑤𝐹𝑆 = 𝐹𝐵 𝑤𝐵𝑆
1000(0.05) = 500𝑤𝐵𝑆
Salt mass fraction in bottom 𝑤𝐵𝑆 = 1000(0.05)⁄500 = 0.1
Ethanol material balance 𝐹𝐹 𝑤𝐹𝑊 = 𝐹𝑇 𝑤𝑇𝑊 + 𝐹𝐵 𝑤𝐵𝑊
1000(0.35) = 500(0.1) + 500𝑤𝐵𝑊
𝑤𝐵𝑊 = (350 − 50)⁄500 = 0.6
Hence mass fraction of ethanol in bottom product
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𝑤𝐵𝐸 = 1 − 𝑤𝐵𝑊 − 𝑤𝐵𝐺 = 1 − 0.6 − 0.1 = 0.3

Mole fraction of salt in bottom product
𝑤𝐵𝐺 ⁄𝑀𝐺
𝑥𝐵𝐺 =
𝑤𝐵𝐺 ⁄𝑀𝐺 + 𝑤𝐵𝑊 ⁄𝑀𝑊 + 𝑤𝐵𝐸 ⁄𝑀𝐸
0.1⁄58.5
𝑥𝐵𝐺 = = 0.041
0.1⁄58.5 + 0.6⁄18 + 0.3⁄46
(5 marks)

2. Synthesis gas containing 73 mole % H2, 26 mole % N2 and 1 mole % CH4, reacts in a
reactor to produce ammonia, NH3 according to the following reaction

N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3

The conversion is 80%.

a. Draw a process flow diagram of the reactor and label it appropriately.

Ni No
Feed NH3 Reactor Product
xiH = 0.73 xoH
xiN = 0.26 xoN
xiM = 0.01 Conversion = 0.8 xoM
xoA
(5 marks)

b. Perform a degree of freedom analysis.

Variables: Ni xiH xiN No xoH xoN xoA
Number of independent variables = 7 + 1 (rate of reaction r is additional variable)
Number of components = 4 (hydrogen, nitrogen, methane and ammonia)
Number of independent material balance equations = 4
Number of variables given values = 2
Number of relationships (conversion) = 1

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 KKKR1144

Degree of freedom = Number of independent variables – Number of independent material

balance equations – Number of variables given values – Number of relationship
(conversion)
= 7 + 1– 4 – 2 – 1 = 1
(5 marks)

c. Determine the limiting reactant.

Basis: 100 kmole h-1 of feed
Determine the reaction rate of each reactant if it is used up completely
Hydrogen
𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐻 100(0.73)
𝑟𝐻 = = = 24.33 kmole h−1
−𝛼𝐻 −(−3)
Nitrogen
𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝑁 100(0.26)
𝑟𝑁 = = = 26 kmole h−1
−𝛼𝑁 −(−1)
Hence, the limiting reactant is hydrogen because the reaction rate is the least.

(5 marks)

d. Calculate the composition and the flow rate of the product stream.
Find r first by using the conversion:
𝑋𝐻 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐻 0.8(100)(0.73)
𝑟= = = 19.467 kmole h−1
−𝛼𝐻 −(−3)
Hydrogen material balance
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐻 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐻 + (𝛼𝐻 )𝑟
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐻 = 100(0.73) + (−3)19.467 = 14.6 kmole h−1
Nitrogen material balance
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑁 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝑁 + (𝛼𝑁 )𝑟
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐻 = 100(0.26) + (−1)19.467 = 6.533 kmole h−1
Ammonia material balance
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐴 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐴 + (𝛼𝐴 )𝑟
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐻 = 0 + (2)19.467 = 38.934 kmole h−1
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 KKKR1144

Methane material balance

Since methane does not react then
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑀 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝑀
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑀 = 100(0.01) = 1.0 kmole h−1
Total flow rate of product
𝑁𝑜 = 𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐻 + 𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑁 + 𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐴 + 𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑀
𝑁𝑜 = 14.6 + 6.533 + 38.934 + 1.0 = 61.067 kmole h−1
Composition of product:
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐻 14.6
𝑥𝑜𝐻 = = = 0.239
𝑁𝑜 61.067
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑁 6.533
𝑥𝑜𝑁 = = = 0.107
𝑁𝑜 61.067
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐴 38.934
𝑥𝑜𝐴 = = = 0.638
𝑁𝑜 61.067
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑀 1
𝑥𝑜𝑀 = = = 0.0164
𝑁𝑜 61.067

(5 marks)
(C = 12, N = 14, H = 1)

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 KKKR1144

SECTION B (60 marks)

Instructions: Answer TWO (2) questions only

3. Immobilized glucose isomerase enzyme is used as a catalyst in producing fructose from

glucose in a fixed-bed reactor.
Isomerase
C6H12O6 → C6H12O6
D-glucose D-fructose

Only 60% of glucose is converted in one pass through the converter reactor so that the
unconverted glucose is recycled. The reactor is fed with 100 kg h-1 solution containing
40% glucose in water and the recycle stream contains 4% fructose.

a. Draw a process flow diagram of the process and label it appropriately.

F5
w5G
w5F = 0.04 Recycle 5 F4
w5W w4G
w4F = 0.04
F3 3 4 w4W
Fructose w3G Final
-1 Reactor w3F = 0.04 Product
F1 = 100 kg h w3W
w1G = 0.4 F2 Reactor
w1F = 0 w2G Product
w1W w2F
(no fructose in w2W
fresh feed)
1 2
Conversion = 0.6
Makeup Reactor Feed
Feed

(5 marks)

b. Perform a degree of freedom analysis.

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 KKKR1144

Reactor Mixer Splitter Whole Overall

process
No. of 8+1 9 12 33 7+1
variables
including T
and r
No. of 3 3 3 9 3
independent
material
balance
equation
No of 1 1 1 3 1
independent
energy
balance
equation
No. of given 1 3 1 5 3
values
No. of 1 0 6 9 1 (water not
relations (Conversion) produced nor
consumed)
DOF 8+1-3-1-1- 8-7=2 12-3-1-1- 33-26=7 8-8=0
1=3 6=1
Basis

(5 marks)

c. If there is no water generated or consumed, what is the flow rate and composition of
the exit stream?
Since Degree of freedom of overall process is 0, there is a unique solution of overall
balance.
Basis: 100 kg h-1 of fresh feed
Overall total balance:
𝐹4 = 𝐹1 = 100 kg h−1
Overall water balance
𝐹1 𝑤1𝑊 = 100(0.6) = 𝐹4 𝑤4𝑊 = 100(𝑤4𝑊 )
Therefore
𝑤4𝑊 = 0.6
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 KKKR1144

Since the mass fraction of fructose in the final product = 0.04, then
𝑤4𝐺 = 1 − 𝑤4𝑊 − 𝑤4𝐹 = 1 − 0.6 − 0.04 = 0.36
(5 marks)

d. If the ratio of the exit stream to the recycle stream is 8.33, calculate the flow rates of
the recycle stream, the streams entering and leaving the reactor, and their
compositions.
Mixer
The degree of freedom at the mixer after the solution in c. drops to 1.
Since a relationship between the feed and recycle streams is given, then the degree of
freedoms drops to zero.
𝐹5 = 𝐹4 ⁄8.33 = 100⁄8.33 = 12.005 kg h−1
Total balance:
𝐹2 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹5 = 100 + 12.005 = 112.005 kg h−1
Fructose balance
𝐹2 𝑤2𝐹 = 𝐹1 𝑤1𝐹 + 𝐹5 𝑤5𝐹
Since 𝑤4𝐹 = 𝑤5𝐹 = 0.04
Then 112.005𝑤2𝐹 = 100(0) + 12.005(0.04)
Fructose mass fraction in reactor feed
𝑤2𝐹 = 12.005(0.04)⁄112.005 = 0.00429
Glucose balance
𝐹2 𝑤2𝐺 = 𝐹1 𝑤1𝐺 + 𝐹4 𝑤4𝐺
Since 𝑤4𝐺 = 𝑤5𝐺 = 0.36
Then 112.005𝑤2𝐺 = 100(0.4) + 12.005(0.36)
Glucose mass fraction in reactor feed
𝑤2𝐺 = [100(0.4) + 12.005(0.36)]⁄112.005 = 0.396
Water mass fraction in reactor feed
𝑤2𝑊 = 1 − 𝑤2𝐺 + 𝑤4𝐹
𝑤2𝑊 = 1 − 0.396 − 0.004 = 0.6
Reactor
The degree of freedom at the reactor after the above solution drops to 3 – 3 = 0 because
three variables are known.
Convert flow rates in reactor feed into molar flow rates
Glucose
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 KKKR1144

𝑁2 𝑥2𝐺 = 𝐹2 𝑤2𝐺 ⁄𝑀𝐺 = 112.005(0.396)⁄180 = 0.246 kmole h−1

Fructose
𝑁2 𝑥2𝐹 = 𝐹2 𝑤2𝐹 ⁄𝑀𝐹 = 112.005(0.00429)⁄180 = 0.00267 kmole h−1
Water
𝑁2 𝑥2𝑊 = 𝐹2 𝑤2𝑊 ⁄𝑀𝐹𝑊 = 112.005(0.6)⁄18 = 3.7335 kmole h−1
𝑁2 = 0.246 + 0.00267 + 3.7335 = 3.98217 kmole h−1
Find r first by using the conversion:
𝑋𝐺 𝑁2 𝑥2𝐺 0.6(0.246)
𝑟= = = 0.1476 kmole h−1
−𝛼𝐻 −(−1)
Glucose material balance
𝑁3 𝑥3𝐺 = 𝑁2 𝑥2𝐺 + (𝛼𝐺 )𝑟
𝑁3 𝑥3𝐺 = 0.246 + (−1)0.1476 = 0.0984 kmol h−1
Mass flow rate of glucose
𝐹3 𝑤3𝐺 = 0.0984(180) = 17.712 kg h−1
Fructose material balance
𝑁3 𝑥3𝐹 = 𝑁2 𝑥2𝐹 + (𝛼𝐹 )𝑟
𝑁3 𝑥3𝐹 = 0.00267 + (1)0.1476 = 0.15027 kmole h−1
Mass flow rate of fructose
𝐹3 𝑤3𝐹 = 0.15027(180) = 27.0486 kg h−1
Water material balance
𝑁3 𝑥3𝑤 = 𝑁2 𝑥2𝐹 = 3.7335 kmole h−1
Water material balance
𝐹3 𝑤3𝑊 = 3.7335(18) = 67.203 kg h−1
Total molar flow rate:
𝑁3 = 0.0984 + 0.15027 + 3.7335 = 3.98217 kmole h−1
Total mass flow rate:
𝐹3 = 17.712 + 27.0486 + 67.203 = 111.9636 kg h−1
Hence, the composition of the reactor product stream:
Glucose
17.712
𝑤3𝐺 = = 0.158
111.9636
Fructose

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 KKKR1144

27.0486
𝑤3𝐹 = = 0.242
111.9636
Water
𝑤3𝑊 = 1 − 𝑤3𝐺 − 𝑤3𝐹 = 1 − 0.158 − 0.242 = 0.6

Check
𝐹2 = 112.005 = 𝐹3 = 𝐹3 𝑤3𝐺 + 𝐹3 𝑤3𝐹 + 𝐹3 𝑤4𝑊
𝐹2 = 112.005 = 17.712 + 27.0486 + 67.203 = 111.9636 kg h−1
Balanced!
(5 marks)

e. If the standard heat of reaction is 2,780 kJ kgmole-1 and the average specific heat of
media is 76.6 kJ kgmole-1 K-1, calculate the heat of reaction of the process at 40°C.
Energy balance at reactor
∆𝐻 = 𝑄
Reference state is at 25°C
∆𝐻 = 𝑁3 𝐶𝑃3 (𝑇3 − 25) + 𝑟∆𝐻𝑟𝑜 − 𝑁2 𝐶𝑃2 (𝑇2 − 25)
∆𝐻 = 3.98217(76.6)(40 − 25) + 0.1476(2780) − 3.98217(76.6)(40 − 25)
∆𝐻 = 410.328 kJ h−1

Hence the heat of reaction is:

𝑄 = ∆𝐻 = 410.328 kJ h−1 = 0.11398 kW
(5 marks)

f. How would the final product concentration and the feed flow rate to the reactor
change if the recycle flow rate is increased?
The final product concentration increases when the recycle flow rate is increased because
the apparent product selectivity is higher than the single pass slectivity.
The feed flow rate to the reactor increases if recycle flow rate is increased since it is the
sum of recycle flow rate and fresh feed flow rate.

(5 marks)

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 KKKR1144

4. Ethanol is produced commercially by hydration of ethylene given by reaction 1 below:

C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH

At the same time, part of the resulting ethanol reacts further into diethyl ether and water
in the same reactor in reaction 2 as follows.

2C2H5OH → (C2H5)2O + H2O

The reactor feed contains ethylene, steam and an inert gas. The product from the reactor
contains 43.3 mole % ethylene, 2.5 mole % ethanol, 0.14 mole % diethyl ether and 9.3
mole % inert material.

a. Draw the process flow diagram and label it appropriately.

Ni No
Feed Ethanol Reactor Product
xiE xiE = 0.433
xiA = 0 xiA = 0.025
xiW Conversion = 0.8 xiW = 0.4476
xiD = 0 xiD = 0.0014
xiI xiI = 0.093
(5 marks)

b. Perform a degree of freedom analysis.

Variables: Ni xiE xiA xiW xiD No xoE xiA xoW xoD
Number of independent variables = 10 + 2 (rate of reaction r1 and r2 are additional
variables)
Number of components = 5 (ethylene, ethanol (A), water, diethyl ether, inert)
Number of independent material balance equations = 5
Number of variables given values = 4
Number of relationships (conversion and selectivity) = 2

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Degree of freedom = Number of independent variables – Number of independent material

balance equations – Number of variables given values – Number of relationship
(conversion)
= 10 + 2– 5 – 4 – 2 = 1
(5 marks)
c. Calculate the two rates of reactions from material balances of the appropriate products
and determine the composition of the reactor feed stream.
Basis: 100 kmol h-1 of product
Material balance of ethanol
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐴 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐴 + (𝛼𝐴1 )𝑟1 + (𝛼𝐴2 )𝑟2
100(0.025) = 0 + (1)𝑟1 + (−2)𝑟2
𝑟1 − 2𝑟2 = 2.5
Material balance of diethyl ether
𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐷 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐷 + (𝛼𝐷1 )𝑟1 + (𝛼𝐷2 )𝑟2
100(0.0014) = 0 + (0)𝑟1 + (1)𝑟2
𝑟2 = 0.14 kmole h−1
Therefore
𝑟1 = 2.5 + 2𝑟2 = 2.5 + 2(0.14) = 2.78 kmole h−1
(5 marks)

d. Calculate the ethylene conversion and the selectivity of ethanol.

Material balance of ethylene

𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝐸 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐸 + (𝛼𝐸1 )𝑟1 + (𝛼𝐸2 )𝑟2
100(0.433) = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐸 + (−1)(2.78) + (0)(0.14)
𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐸 = 100(0.433) + (2.78) + (0)(0.14) = 46.08 kmole h−1
Ethylene conversion:
−𝛼𝐸1 𝑟1 − 𝛼𝐸2 𝑟2 −(−1)(2.78) − (0)(0.14)
𝑋𝐸 = = = 0.0603
𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐸 46.08
Selectivity of ethanol
𝛼𝐴1 𝑟1 + 𝛼𝐴2 𝑟2 (1)(2.78) + (−2)(0.14)
𝑆𝐴 = = = 0.8997
𝑋𝐸 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐸 (0.0603)46.08

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 KKKR1144

(5 marks)

e. If the standard heat of the reaction for reaction 1 is -88,026 kJ kgmole-1 and that of
reaction 2 is 41,956 kJ kgmole-1, calculate the heat to be supplied or removed from
the process at 300°C using the enthalpy data in Table 4.1 on the next page.
Energy balance at reactor
∆𝐻 = 𝑄
2
𝑜
∆𝐻 = ∆𝐻𝑜 + � 𝑟𝑘 ∆𝐻𝑟𝑘 − ∆𝐻𝑖
𝑘=1
2
𝑜 𝑜 𝑜
� 𝑟𝑘 ∆𝐻𝑟𝑘 = 𝑟1 ∆𝐻𝑟1 + 𝑟2 ∆𝐻𝑟2 = (2.78)(−88,026 ) + (0.14)(41,956 )
𝑘=1
2
𝑜
� 𝑟𝑘 ∆𝐻𝑟𝑘 = −238838.44 kJ h−1
𝑘=1

Reference state is at 25°C

5

∆𝐻𝑜 = � 𝑁𝑜𝑗 𝑥𝑜𝑗 �𝐶𝑃𝐿𝑗 �𝑇𝐵𝑗 − 25� + ∆𝐻𝑣𝑗 + 𝐶𝑃𝑉𝑗 �𝑇3 − 𝑇𝐵𝑗 ��
𝑗=1

Component 𝑁𝑜𝑗 𝑥𝑜𝑗 𝐶𝑃𝐿𝑗 𝑇𝐵𝑗 (°C) ∆𝐻𝑣𝑗 𝐶𝑃𝑉𝑗 𝑇3 ∆𝐻𝑜

Ethylene 43.33 0 0 0 39.55 300 514110.45
Ethanol 2.5 112.40 78 38,560 82.50 300 157080.5
Diethyl 0.14 172.00 35 27,247 119.50 300
8488.83
ether
Water 44.76 74.54 100 40,680 36.37 300 2396651.82
Inert 0
Total 3076331.6

Material balance of water

𝑁𝑜 𝑥𝑜𝑊 = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝑊 + (𝛼𝑊1 )𝑟1 + (𝛼𝐸𝑊 )𝑟2
100(0.4476) = 𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝑊 + (−1)(2.78) + (1)(0.14)
𝑁𝑖 𝑥𝑖𝐸 = 100(0.4476) + (2.78) − (1)(0.14) = 47.4 kmole h−1

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 KKKR1144

∆𝐻𝑖 = � 𝑁𝑖𝑗 𝑥𝑖𝑗 �𝐶𝑃𝐿𝑗 �𝑇𝐵𝑗 − 25� + ∆𝐻𝑣𝑗 + 𝐶𝑃𝑉𝑗 �𝑇2 − 𝑇𝐵𝑗 ��
𝑗=1

Component 𝑁𝑖𝑗 𝑥𝑖𝑗 𝐶𝑃𝐿𝑗 𝑇𝐵𝑗 (°C) ∆𝐻𝑣𝑗 𝐶𝑃𝑉𝑗 𝑇3 ∆𝐻𝑜

Ethylene 46.08 0 0 0 39.55 300 546739.2
Ethanol 0 112.40 78 38,560 82.50 300 0
Diethyl 0 172.00 35 27,247 119.50 300
0
ether
Water 47.4 74.54 100 40,680 36.37 300 2538009.3
Inert 0
Total 3084748.5

2
𝑜
∆𝐻 = ∆𝐻𝑜 + � 𝑟𝑘 ∆𝐻𝑟𝑘 − ∆𝐻𝑖
𝑘=1

∆𝐻 = 3076331.6 − 238838.44 − 3084748.5 = −247255.34 kJ h−1

𝑄 = −247255.34 kJ h−1 = −68.682 kW
(5 marks)

Table 4.1

Components ∆𝐻𝑣𝑎𝑝 Average Cp of gas Average Cp of liquid

-1 -1
(kJ kgmole-1) (kJ kgmole K ) (kJ kgmole-1 K-1)
(Boiling Point)

C2H4 - 39.55 -

C2H5OH 38,560 82.50 112.40

(78°C)

(C2H5) 2O 27,247 119.50 172.00

(35°C)

H2O 40,680 36.37 74.54

(100°C)

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f. How would the final product concentration, the feed flow rate to the reactor and
ethylene conversion change if part of the product stream is recycled?
If part of the product stream is recycled, the product concentration and reactor feed
increase, while the conversion does not change.
( 5 marks)

5. Itaconic acid (C5H6O4) is produced from the fermentation of glucose by the fungus
Aspergillus tereus. The latter is grown in a 100,000 L batch fermentor according to the
following pseudo-stoichiometric equation

C6H12O6 + 0.54375O2 + 0.185125NH3

→ 0.97C4.4H7.3N0.3817O1.2 + 1.732CO2 + 3.2H2O

After the fungus has grown to a sufficient level, it produces itaconic acid at a yield of
Yp/x = 0.55 g itaconic acid (g dry biomass)-1.

The media composition is given in Table 5.1 below.

Table 5.1 Media Composition

Component Concentration (g L-1) Molar mass (g mole-1)

Glucose 280.0 180

Ammonium sulfate To be calculated 132

Biomass 0 91.34

Itaconic acid 0 130

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a. Draw the process flow diagram and label it appropriately.

Media feed Gas exhaust

C1G = 280 mg L-1 N4
C1A 1 x4O
C1I = 0 x4N
4
C1B = 0 x4C
3

Air feed Fermentor product

N3 C2G
x3O = 0.21 C2I
x3N = 0.79 2 C2B
V =105
C2A
(5 marks)

b. Perform a degree of freedom analysis.

Variables:
V C1G C1A C1I C1B C2G C2A C2I C2B V3 x3O V4 x4O x4N r

Number of independent variables = 14 + 1 (rate of reaction r)

Number of components = 8 (glucose, ammonia, biomass, itaconic acid, water, O2, N2,
CO2)
Number of independent material balance equations = 8
Number of variables given values = 6
Number of relationships = 0
Degree of freedom = Number of independent variables – Number of independent material
balance equations – Number of variables given values – Number of relationship
(conversion)
= 14 + 1– 8 – 6 = 1
(5 marks)
c. If the final glucose concentration is 20 g L-1, calculate the conversion of glucose, the
rate of reaction (mole L-1), the concentrations of the biomass and itaconic acid in the
product (g L-1) as well as the total volume of air (L) needed to carry out this
fermentation and of CO2 (L) produced.

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Degree of freedom drops to 0.

Glucose conversion

280 − 20
𝑋𝐺 = = 0.9286
280

Material balance of glucose

𝑁1𝐺 = 𝑁2𝐺 − (−1)𝑟𝑉

𝐶1𝐺 𝑉 𝐶2𝐺 𝑉
= − (−1)𝑟𝑉
𝑀𝐺 𝑀𝐺

280(105 ) 20(105 )
= − 𝑟(105 )
180 180

Hence, rate of reaction is

280 − 20
𝑟= = 1.444 mole L−1
180

Material balance of biomass

𝑁1𝐵 = 𝑁2𝐵 − (0.97)𝑟𝑉

𝐶1𝐵 𝑉 𝐶2𝐵 𝑉
= − (0.97)𝑟𝑉
𝑀𝐵 𝑀𝐵

(0)(105 ) 𝐶2𝐵 (105 )

= − (0.97)1.444(105 )
91.34 91.34

𝐶2𝐵 = 1.444(0.97)(91.34) = 127.938 g L−1

Itaconic acid concentration

𝐶2𝐼 = 𝑌𝑃𝐵 𝐶2𝐵 = 0.55(127.938) = 70.366 g L−1
Oxygen balance
𝑁3 𝑥3𝑂 = 𝑁4 𝑥4𝑂 − (−0.54375)𝑟𝑉

(𝑁3 𝑥3𝑂 − 𝑁4 𝑥4𝑂 ) = (0.54375)(1.444)(105 ) = 0.785175(105 ) mol

Volume of oxygen required

𝑉𝑂 = 0.785175(105 )22.4 = 17.588(105 ) L

Volume of air required

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𝑉𝐴 = 17.588(105 )⁄(0.21) = 83.7(105 ) L

CO2 balance
𝑁3 𝑥3𝐶 = 𝑁4 𝑥4𝐶 − (1.732)𝑟𝑉

(𝑁4 𝑥4𝐶 − 𝑁3 𝑥3𝐶 ) = (1.732)(1.444)(105 ) = 2.501(105 ) mole

Volume of CO2 produced

𝑉𝐶 = 2.501(105 )22.4 = 56.0224 (105 ) L

(5 marks)

d. Calculate the concentration of ammonium sulfate required in the feed stream if its
concentration at the end of the fermentation is 6.5 g L-1.
Material balance of ammonia

𝑁1𝐴 = 𝑁2𝐴 − (−0.185125 )𝑟𝑉

𝐶1𝐴 𝑉 𝐶2𝐴 𝑉
= − (−0.185125 )𝑟𝑉
𝑀𝐴 𝑀𝐴

𝐶1𝐴 (105 ) (6.5)(105 )

= − (−0.185125 )1.444(105 )
132 132

𝐶1𝐴 = 6.5 + 1.444(0.185125)(132) = 41.786 g L−1

(5 marks)

e. Given that the heat of fermentation in kJ (gmole of biomass for one C atom in
formula)-1 is given by

∆𝐻𝑓𝑜 = 115𝛾

where γ is the degree of reduction of the biomass and the specific heat of the media is
75 kJ kgmole-1 K-1, calculate the heat of the fermentation at 37°C if the initial
temperature of the media before reaction is 25°C.
Degree of reduction of the biomass

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𝛾 = [(7.3)(1) + (0.3817)(−2) + (1.2)(−2)]⁄4.4 = 1.8326

∆𝐻𝑓𝑜 = 115(1,8326) = 210.748 kJ
Energy balance at reactor
∆𝐻 = 𝑄
Reference state is at 25°C
𝑉𝜌 𝑉𝜌
∆𝐻 = 𝐶𝑃2 (𝑇2 − 25) + 𝑟𝑉∆𝐻𝑓𝑜 − 𝐶 (𝑇 − 25)
𝑀𝑊 𝑀𝑊 𝑃1 1
�105 �(1000)
∆𝐻 = (18)(1000)
(75)(37 − 25) + (1.444)(105 )(210.748) = 354.32(105 ) kJ S

𝑄 = ∆𝐻 = 354.32(105 ) kJ

(5 marks)

f. How would the concentration of itaconic acid in the final product stream changes if
the fermentor is operated semi-continuously as a chemostat, and when part of the
biomass in the product stream is recycled?
The itaconic acid will be more concentrated if the fermentor is operated semi-
continuously as a chemostat, and when part of the biomass in the product stream is
recycled.
(5 marks)

‘SELAMAT MAJU JAYA’

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