Question

In the manufacture of nitric acid, ammonia and preheated air are mixed to form a gas containing 10.0 mole% NH3 at 600°C. The ammonia is then catalytically oxidized to form NO2, which is absorbed in water to form HNO3. If ammonia enters the gas blending unit at 25°C at a rate of 520 kg/h and heat is lost from the mixer to its surroundings at a rate of 7.00 kW, determine the temperature to which the air must be preheated.

Answer 1

To determine the temperature to which the air must be preheated in the manufacture of nitric acid, we can use the heat lost from the mixer to its surroundings and the amount of ammonia entering the gas blending unit.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the manufacture of nitric acid, ammonia and preheated air are mixed to form a gas containing 10.0 mole% NH3 at 600°C. The temperature to which the air must be preheated can be determined by using the heat lost from the mixer to its surroundings and the amount of ammonia entering the gas blending unit.

To find the temperature, we can use the formula:

Q = mcΔT

where Q is the heat lost, m is the mass of ammonia entering per unit time, c is the specific heat capacity of ammonia, and ΔT is the temperature change. By rearranging the formula, we can solve for ΔT:

ΔT = Q / (mc)

By substituting the given values into the formula, we can find the temperature to which the air must be preheated.