Question

Ethane is chlorinated in a continuous reactor: C2H6 +Cl2 → C2H5Cl + HCl Some of the product monochloroethane is further chlorinated in an undesired side reaction: C2H5Cl +Cl2 → C2H4Cl2 + HCl a. Take a basis of 100.0 mol of C2H5Cl produced. Assume that the feed contains only ethane and chlorine and that all of the chlorine is consumed. How many degrees of freedom remain (use atomic balances)?

Answer 1

To determine the number of degrees of freedom remaining in the given reaction, we can use atomic balances.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the number of degrees of freedom remaining in the given reaction, we can use atomic balances.

Let's denote the number of moles of C2H6 by x. Since the reaction is continuous, C2H5Cl is formed in the same amount as the C2H6 consumed. Hence, the number of moles of C2H5Cl produced is also x.

The atomic balance for carbon gives: 2x = x + 2y, where y is the number of moles of C2H4Cl2 produced in the undesired side reaction. Since we know that 100.0 mol of C2H5Cl is produced, we can use this information to solve for the number of degrees of freedom remaining in the system.