Read over the problems at the end of this chapter. Make up an original problem that uses the concepts presented in this chapter. See Problem P5-1A for the guidelines. To obtain a solution:

1. Make up your data and reaction.
2. Use a real reaction and real data.
The journals listed at the end of Chapter 1 may be useful for part (b).

Problem P5-1A

What if you were asked to explore the example problems in this chapter to learn the effects of varying the different parameters? This sensitivity analysis can be carried out by downloading the examples from the CRE Web site (www.umich.edu/~elements/6e/index.html, under Living Example Problems (LEPs)). You can download Wolfram for free at http://www.wolfram.com/cdf-player/. For each of the example problems you investigate, write a paragraph describing your findings. It is important to the learning process that you try to predict how the results change the answer or the shape of the conversion profile before moving a slider.

a. Wolfram and Python
i. Write down a conclusion about your variation of each slider and explain why the slider movement gave you the results it did.
ii. What generalizations can you draw from this example?

b. Wolfram and Python

i. Vary each of the parameters in the Ergun Equation and write a couple of sentences on the variable that changes the slope of p versus z the most, that is, what change increases the pressure drop the most?
ii. What generalizations can you draw from this example?

c. Wolfram and Python
i. After varying each slider, write down a conclusion about the conversion and pressure profiles and explain why the slider movement gave you the results it did.
ii. Why do CA, CB, and CC all start to decrease at W = 25 kg?
iii. What generalizations can you draw from this example?

d. Wolfram and Python
i. Write down a conclusion about your variation of each slider and explain why the slider movement gave you the results it did.
ii. How much would the catalyst weight change if the pressure were increased by a factor of 5 and the particle size decreased by a factor of 5? (Recall that α is also a function of P₀.)

e. Wolfram and Python
This problem is a Stop and Smell the Roses Simulation. Explore this simulation to understand the interaction of pressure drop and conversion. 

i. Explain what happens to X, p, and f as k′ moves between its maximum and minimum values from its initial setting of k′ = 0.0035 s^–1.
ii. What happens to X, p, and f as alpha moves between its maximum and minimum?
iii. Write two conclusions from your slider experiments.
iv. After reviewing Generating Ideas and Solutions on the Web site (http://www.umich.edu/~elements/6e/toc/SCPS,3rdEdBook(Ch07).pdf), choose one of the brainstorming techniques (e.g., lateral thinking) to suggest two questions that should be included in this problem.

f. Wolfram and Python
i. Vary k′, CA0, and KC sliders individually between their maximum and minimum values. Write a set of conclusions and explain why the movement of the sliders changed the conversion and pressure drop profiles the way they did.

g. (1) Using F_A0 = 0.425 lbm mol/s, run the AspenTech simulation at 1000 K and at 1200 K and compare with the specified temperature
of 1100 K.

(2) Explore what a small change in activation energy can make in your results by changing E from 82 to 74 kcal/mol and then to 90 kcal/mol and compare your results with the base case of 82 kcal/mol.