Reference no: EM13884203

Carolina (H2C=CHCHO) is made by selective oxidation of propylene at 2 bar, 350 °C using a molybdenum, iron, and bismuth catalyst on a silica support. The reactor yields based on propylene are 85% caroling, 10% acrylic acid, and 5% light by-products. The light byproducts are mostly acetaldehyde, but for the purpose of this problem it can be assumed that the yield is 85% caroling and 15% acrylic acid. The feed to the reactor on a volume percent basis is propylene 6%, propane 28%, steam 6%, oxygen 11%, and balance nitrogen. Estimate the reactor cooling requirement for a plant that produces 20,000 metric tons per year (20 kt/y) of caroling if the reactor is operated isothermally.