A total of 2500 gal/h of metaxylene is being isomerized to a mixture of orthoxylene, metaxylene, and paraxylene in a reactor containing 1000 ft3 of catalyst. The reaction is being carried out at 750°F and 300 psig. Under these conditions, 37% of the metaxylene fed to the reactor is isomerized. At a flow rate of 1667 gal/h, 50% of the metaxylene is isomerized at the same temperature and pressure. Energy changes are negligible.

It is now proposed that a second plant be built to process 5500 gal/h of metaxylene at the same temperature and pressure as described earlier. What size reactor (i.e., what volume of catalyst) is required if conversion in the new plant is to be 46% instead of 37%? Justify any assumptions made for the scale-up calculation. Make a list of the things you learned from this problem.