Question

Ethane at 25°C and 1.1 atm (abs) flowing at a rate of 100 mol/s is burned with 20% excess oxygen at 175 °C and 1.1 atm (abs). The combustion products (C₂H₆, O₂, N₂, CO, CO₂, H₂O), leave the furnace at 800°C and 1 atm.

What is the volumetric flow rate of oxygen (L/s) fed to the furnace?

Answer 1

To calculate the volumetric flow rate of oxygen fed to the furnace, we need to consider the balanced equation for the combustion of ethane. From the equation, we can see that for every 1 mole of ethane burned, we need 7/2 moles of oxygen. Using the given flow rate of ethane, we can calculate the volumetric flow rate of oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the volumetric flow rate of oxygen fed to the furnace, we need to consider the balanced equation for the combustion of ethane:

C2H6 + 7/2O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

From the equation, we can see that for every 1 mole of ethane burned, we need 7/2 moles of oxygen. Since we are given the flow rate of ethane, which is 100 mol/s, we can calculate the mole ratio of oxygen to ethane as follows:

Oxygen flow rate = (7/2) * Ethane flow rate = (7/2) * 100 mol/s = 350 mol/s

Now, to convert the oxygen flow rate from moles/s to L/s, we use the ideal gas law:

Oxygen flow rate (L/s) = oxygen flow rate (mol/s) * molar volume

At 25°C and 1 atm, the molar volume is approximately 22.4 L/mol. So,

Oxygen flow rate (L/s) = 350 mol/s * 22.4 L/mol = 7840 L/s