Natural gas containing a mixture of methane ethane propane and butane is burned in a furnace with

Question:

Natural gas containing a mixture of methane ethane propane and butane is burned in a furnace with excess air.

(a) One hundred k mol/h of a gas containing 94.4 mole% methane, 3.40% ethane 0.60% propane, and 0.50% butane is to be burned with 17% excess air. Calculate the required molar flow rates of the air.

(b) Let n_f(k mol/h) = molar flow of the fuel gas x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, = mole fractions of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, respectively, in the fuel P_xs = percent excess air n_a (k mol/h) = molar flow rate of the air fed to the furnace Derive an expression for ha in terms of the other variables. Check your formula with the results of part (a).

(c) Suppose the feed rate and composition of the fuel gas are subject to periodic variations, and a process control computer is to be used to adjust the flow rate of air to maintain a constant percentage excess. A calibrated electronic flow meter in the fuel gas line transmits a signal R that is directly proportional to the flow rate (n_f = aR_f), with a flow rate of 75.0 k mol/h yielding a signal R_f = 60. The fuel gas composition is obtained with an on-line gas chromatograph. A sample of the gas is injected into the gas chromatograph (GC), and signals A₁, A₂, A₃, and A₄, which are directly proportional to the moles of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, respectively, in the sample, are transmitted. (Assume the same proportionality constant for all species.) The control computer processes these data to determine the required air flow rate and then sends a signal R₁ to a control valve in the air line. The relationship between Ra and the resulting air flow rate, h, is another direct proportionality, with a signal R₁ = 25 leading to an air flow rate of 550 k mol/h. Write a spreadsheet or computer program to perform the following tasks:

(i) Take as input the desired percentage excess and values of R_f, A₁, A₂, A₃, and A₄.

(ii) Calculate and print out n_f, x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄, n_a, and R_a.

Test your program on the data given below assuming that 15% excess air is required in all cases. Then explore the effects of variations in P_xs and R₁ on n_a for the values of A₁ ? A₄ given the third line of the data table. Briefly explain your results.?

(d) Finally, suppose that when the system is operating as described, stack gas analysis indicates that the air feed rate is consistently too high to achieve the specified percentage excess. Give several possible explanations.