Problems
1. Surge drums are often used as intermediate storage for gas streams: that are
transferred between chemical process units. Consider a drum depicted in Figure 1,
where qi is the inlet molar flow rate of gas and q is the outlet molar flow rate of
the gas.
Required:
1. Develop a model that describes how the pressure in the tank varies with time.
2. State your assumptions
qi q
(mole/ time) P (mole/ time)
Figure 1: Gas surge drum
2. A completely enclosed stirred-tank heating process is used to heat an incoming
stream whose flow rate varies. The heating rate from this coil and the volume are
both constant.
Develop a mathematical model (differential and algebraic equations) that
describes the exit temperature if heat losses to the ambient occur and if the
ambient temperature Ta) and the incoming stream’s temperature (Ti) both can
vary.
Notes: ρ and Cρ are constants.
U, the overall heat transfer coefficient, is constant.
As is the surface area for heat losses to ambient.
Ti>Ta (inlet temperature is higher than ambient temperature).
Figure:2
Answer the problem (1)
qi q
(mole/ time) P (mole/ time)
1- Basis:
Total continuity equation
2- Assumptions:
• Isothermal ( no temperature mentioned)
• Constant area (C. S. A)
• Behaves as an ideal gas
3- Mathematical model:
[ mass flow into the system] – [mass flow out of the system]= [time rate of
the change]
Molar flow rate= (mass flow rate/Molecular weight)
∵ n•= [m•/M]
∴m•= n• *M
∵n• =q
∴ m•= q * M
∴qi *M – q*M = dm/dt
∵ m=Ꝭ *V
qi *M – q*M = d(Ꝭ *V)/dt
∵for ideal gas Ꝭ= [P*M/R*T]
qi *M – q*M = d((P*M/R*T)*V)/dt
M*(qi– q)= [V*M/R*T] d(P)/dt ÷M
(qi– q)= [V/R*T] d(P)/dt
(pressure changes with time)
Answer the problem (2)
1- Basis:
Energy balance equation
2- Assumptions:
• Constant Cp
• Neglect kinetic energy
• Neglect potential energy
• Neglect shaft-work
• Perfect mixing
• Constant Ꝭ, V
• No phase change(Liquid)
3- Mathematical model:
w: mass flow rate of feed
Q: heat loss to surrounding is governed by the equation
Q= U*A(T-Ta)
WRITE THE ENERGY EQUATION BALANCE
Temperature change with time?
w*Cp*Ti – w*Cp* T – Q loss + Q coil = d(Ꝭ*V*Cp*T)/dt
∵Q= U*A(T-Ta)
∴w*Cp*Ti – w*Cp* T – U*A(T-Ta)+ Q coil = d(Ꝭ*V*Cp*T)/dt
∴w*Cp*Ti – w*Cp* T – U*A(T-Ta)+ Q coil =( Ꝭ*V*Cp) dT/dt