Ammonia is produced from nitrogen and hydrogen according to the following reaction:
N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3
The fresh feed to the system, supplied at a total flow rate of 100 mol/min, consists of N2, H2 and
1.0 mole% inert gas. The ratio of moles of H2 to moles of N2 in the fresh feed is 3:1. The singlepass conversion of N2 achieved is 15%. The gas stream exiting the reactor is fed to a condenser
where all ammonia is condensed and removed. The stream of non-condensable gases (N2, H2
and inert) is split in two; part is purged into the atmosphere, and the rest is recycled to the
reactor. The ratio of moles of H2 to N2 in the recycle stream is 3.5:1.
a. Prepare a complete, labeled flowchart.
b. What is the purpose of the purge stream?
c. What is the mole% of N2 of the fresh feed?
d. What is the mole% of H2 of the fresh feed?
e. What is the molar flow rate of NH3 produced?
f. What is the fraction of gas stream leaving the condenser that is purged to the
atmosphere?
g. What is the mol fraction of inert gas in the recycle stream