CHE 111P: Chemical Engineering Calculations

Seatwork 1

Solutions to the problem:

Part 1: Analyze units and dimensions of measurement related to composition of mixtures

1. A waste treatment pond is 50 m long and 15 m wide, and has an average depth of 2 m. The density of the waste is 85.3
lbm/ft3.
a. What is the volume of the treatment pond in ft3?
b. What is the weight of the pond content in lbf?
c. What is the weight of the pond content in N?

Wpond content =

2. The Reynolds number is a dimensionless group defined for a fluid flowing in a pipe as

Re=Duρ/μ

where D is pipe diameter, u is fluid velocity, ρ is fluid density, and μ is fluid viscosity. When the value of the Reynolds
number is less than about 2100, the flow is laminar—that is, the fluid flows in smooth streamlines. For Reynolds numbers
above 2100, the flow is turbulent, characterized by a great deal of agitation. Liquid methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) flows through
a pipe with an inner diameter of 2.067 inches at an average velocity of 0.48 ft/s. At the fluid temperature of 20°C the density
of liquid MEK is 0.805 g/cm3 and the viscosity is 0.43 centipoise [1 cP=1.00×10−3 kg/(m·s)].
a. Calculate the Reynolds Number of the flowing fluid.
b. Is the flow laminar or turbulent?

3. The relationship between the pressure P and volume V of the air in a cylinder during the upstroke of a piston in an air
compressor can be expressed as
PVk=C
where k and C are constants. During a compression test, the following data are taken:

P(mm Hg) 760 1140 1520 2280 3040 3800

V(cm3) 48.3 37.4 31.3 24.1 20.0 17.4

a. What would you plot to get a straight line from the given data?
b. Determine the values of k and C that best fit the data. (Give both numerical values and units)
Part 2: Predict PVT properties of gases using ideal gas equation
4. Use the ideal-gas equation of state to estimate the molar volume in ft3/lbmole and the density of air in kg/m3 at 40oC and a
gauge pressure of 3.0 atm.

5. Suppose that a submarine inadvertently sinks to the bottom of the ocean at a depth of 1000 m. It is proposed to lower a
diving bell to the submarine and attempt to enter the conning tower. What must the minimum air pressure be inside the
diving bell at the level of the submarine to prevent water from entering the bell when the opening valve at the bottom is
cracked open slightly? Give your answer in absolute kilopascals. Assume that the seawater has a constant specific gravity
of 1.024.

Part 3: Characterize the composition of solutions and mixtures

6. Liquid benzene and liquid n-hexane are blended to form a stream flowing at a rate of 1700 lbm/h. An on-line densitometer
(an instrument used to determine density) indicates that the stream has a density of 0.810 g/mL. Using specific gravities
from Table B.1, estimate the mass and volumetric feed rates of the two hydrocarbons to the mixing vessel in lbm/h. Assume
volume to be additive.
7. A gas containing nitrogen, benzene, and toluene is in equilibrium with a liquid consisting of 35 mole% benzene and 65
mole% toluene at 85°C and 10 atm. Estimate the gas composition (mole fractions) using Raoult's law and assuming ideal-
gas behavior.

8. The weather report says the temperature is 32oC, the barometer is at 760 mm Hg, the relative humidity is 70%. Calculate
the mole fraction of water in the air, the molal humidity, absolute humidity, and percentage humidity in the air. What is
the dew point of the air?

0.70(35.663 mmHg)
T = 32oC, p* = 35.663 mm Hg (Table B.3) 𝑦H2O = = 0.0328
760 mmHg
When p* = 0.7(35.663 mm Hg) = 24.964 mm Hg; T = 25.9 C (Table B.3) – dew point
o