Ethane is brominated in a continuous reactor: C₂H6+ Br₂ C₂H5Br + HBr Some of the product C₂H5Br is further brominated in an undesired side reaction: C₂H5Br + Br₂ → C₂H4Br₂ + HBr (a) Take a basis of 100 kmol C₂H,Br produced. Assume that the feed contains only C₂H6 and Br₂, and that all the Br₂ is consumed. Carry out a DOF analysis based on atomic species balances. (b) The reactor is designed to yield a 20% conversion of ethane and a selectivity of 15 kmol C₂HsBr/kmol C₂H4Br2, with a negligible amount of Br₂ in the product gas. Calculate the feed ratio (kmol Br₂/kmol C₂H5) and the fractional yield of C₂H5Br. (c) Suppose your objective is to maximize the selectivity of C₂H5Br production relative to C₂H4Br2 production. Would you design the reactor for a high or low conversion of ethane? Explain your answer. What additional processing steps would almost certainly be carried out to make the process economically sound?
