The activation energy of an isomerization reaction which obeys 1st-order kinetics is known to be 100 kJ/mol and the pre-exponential of reaction is 1.666 x 103 cm/s. When the
isomerization reaction is run under strong pore diffusion limitations at 410 K, 500 g of catalyst are required to achieve 70% conversion. The catalyst density (ρc) is 2.5 g/cm3 and the bed void fraction (ε) is 0.4.
a) Write the mole balance under these circumstances for the packed-bed reactor.
b) Calculate how much catalyst is required to get 70% conversion if the temperature is raised to 450 K. You should assume that there are no external mass transfer limitations, but that strong pore diffusion limitations are present at 450 K.