Ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH), used as an antifreeze, is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with water. A side reaction produces an undesirable dime, DEG:
C2H4O + H2O----> HOCH2CH2OH
HOCH2CH2OH + C2H4O-----> HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH
The reactor feed is 10 gmol/min ethylene oxide and 30 gmol/min water. Why is water excess reactant? If the fractional conversion of ethylene oxide is 0.92 and the selectivity is 0.85, what is the reactor outlet composition and the yield