Chemical Reaction Engineering Lab Report

OBJECTIVE:
To find the order and the reaction rate constant (k) of
the neutralization reaction of sodium hydroxide and
benzoic acid in a stirred batch reactor and also find
the activation energy (E) for the neutralization
reaction through Arrhenius equation.

GROUP # 02
ZIA UR REHMAN 2019-CH-05
Ahmad Habib 2019-CH-09 (Leader)
Muhammad Mujahid 2019-CH-15
Allyan Javaed 2019-CH-22
Ali Awais 2019-CH-30

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Contents
ABSTRACT:.............................................................................................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION: .................................................................................................................... 4
ACTIVATION ENERGY:..................................................................................................... 4
ARRHENIUS EQUATION: .................................................................................................. 4
REACTION KINECTICS: ........................................................................................................ 5
BATCH REACTOR: ................................................................................................................. 6
APPLICATION: .................................................................................................................... 6
ADVANTAGES: ................................................................................................................... 6
DISADVANTAGES: ............................................................................................................. 6
EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS: .................................................................................................. 7
APPRATUS: .......................................................................................................................... 7
CHEMICAL REQUIRED: .................................................................................................... 7
PROCEDURE:....................................................................................................................... 8
Precautions: ............................................................................................................................ 9
OBSESERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS: ...................................................................... 9
CO-RELATIONS: ................................................................................................................ 9
Conductivity:............................................................................................................................ 16
Neutralization and conductivity: .......................................................................................... 16
CONCLUSION: ....................................................................................................................... 17
Reference: ................................................................................................................................ 17

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ABSTRACT:
In this report a Neutralization Reaction between Benzoic acid and caustic soda is carried out in
a Batch Reactor at STP Conditions. The aim of this scientific research is to find the order of
the reaction, to estimate the parameters of Arrhenius equation which are rate constant and
activation energy for Benzoic acid Neutralization. For this purpose, the reaction is
experimentally performed in a Batch Reactor and change in Concentration (in terms of
Electrical Conductivity) is measured with time at different temperatures of 25oC, 40oC and
55oC, at each temperature different values of rate constant are obtained at various time and
concentration data. Finally, to analyses our experimental data graphical method is used and a
graph is plotted between ln(k) and 1/T and finally results shows that the value of activation
energy is calculated from the slope of graph which is 4.203J/mol.

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INTRODUCTION:
 A neutralization reaction can be defined as a chemical reaction in which an acid and
base quantitatively react together to form a salt and water as products. In a
neutralization reaction, there is a combination of H+ ions and OH- ions which form
water. A neutralization reaction is generally an acid- base neutralization reaction.
 This is a neutralization reaction between a weak acid and a strong base, which will
result in a salt and water for products, just as with strong acid/strong base neutralization
reaction. In this reaction benzoic acid is primary standard and NaOH is secondary
standard.

C7H6O2 H2O + C7H5O2Na

ACTIVATION ENERGY:
 The minimum amount of energy that is required to activate atoms or molecules to a
condition in which they can undergo chemical transformation.

 “The amount of energy required just to start a reaction is called activation energy.”

 For example, activation energy is needed to start a car engine or bike engine. Turning
the key causes a spark that activates the burning of gasoline in the engine.

ARRHENIUS EQUATION:
The Arrhenius equation describes the relation between the rate of reaction and temperature
for many physical and chemical reactions. A common form of the equation is:

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  “A” is the frequency factor in this equation. A represents the frequency at
which atoms and molecules collide in a way that leads to a reaction. Its value is
negligible for such a small change in temperature like change of 10⁰C or 15⁰C.
EA

RT
 e is the exponential factor in this equation.
 RT is the average kinetic energy, it will be apparent that the exponent is just the ratio
of the activation energy, Ea, to the average kinetic energy.
 The larger this ratio, the smaller the rate, which is why it includes the negative sign.
This means that high temperatures and low activation energies favor larger rate
constants, and therefore these conditions will speed up a reaction.
Rate constant and activation energy can be calculated by solving the above equation.

EA
ln k  ln A 
RT
E 1
ln k     ln A
R T
Now compare the above equation with the equation of straight line we get,

y = mx + c

Hence by plotting the graph between 1/T on x-axis and lnk on y axis then antilog of
intercept gives the value of rate constant and the slope of straight-line will give the value
of –Ea/R.

REACTION KINECTICS:
 Neutralization reaction of Benzoic acid and Sodium Hydroxide is an irreversible 2nd
order reaction.

 This reaction is non-catalytic and carried out in a constant density system.

 This is a homogeneous phase (liquid/liquid) reaction and mild exothermic in nature.

C7H6O2 + NaOH → C7H5O2Na + H2O

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BATCH REACTOR:
A batch reactor is the simplest type of reactor vessels use for chemical or industrial
processes. A typical batch reactor consists of a tank where chemical reactions occur. These
tanks also have an agitator and an internal heating or cooling system.

APPLICATION:
 Batch reactors are often used in the process industry.
 Batch reactors also have many laboratory applications, such as small-scale production
and inducing fermentation for beverage products.
 They also have many uses in medical production.
 Batch reactors are generally considered expensive to run, as well as variable product
reliability.
 They are also used for experiments of reaction kinetics, volatiles and thermodynamics.

ADVANTAGES:
 Batch reactor jackets allow the system to change heating or cooling power at constant
jacket heat flux.
 Good for producing small amounts of products while still in testing phase.
 Easy to clean.
 High conversions

DISADVANTAGES:
 Preferred for homogenous reactions only
 High labor costs per batch
 Long idle time (Charging or Discharging times) leads to periods of no production
 No instrumentation – poor product quality.

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 EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS:
The reaction is carried out in a batch apparatus at STP conditions and the change in
concentration (in terms of Electrical Conductivity) with time is measured. The experimental
setup is shown in figure-1.
Flow rate of pump G1 and G2
Conductivity meter Stirring speed
Temperature

Water bath
Drums for feed Thermostat
D1 & D2

Fig. 1. Experimental setup i.e. service unit

APPRATUS:
 Beakers
 Service unit
 Batch reactor
 Conductivity meter

CHEMICAL REQUIRED:
 Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH),
 Ethyl Acetate (CH3COOC2H5).

Sodium Hydroxide & Benzoic acid solution

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PROCEDURE:
 Make 0.25L batches of 0.03M NaOH and 0.02M benzoic acid.
 Adjust the set point temperature to 25oC.
 Set the speed of the stirrer at 60%.
 Feed the reactor with NaOH and benzoic acid carefully.
 Start noting the conductivity reading after equal interval of time i.e. 30 second.
 Note the final conductivity reading when the reaction becomes steady state.
 Calculate the concentration CNaOHt
(a1), conversion of NaOH ( X NaOH ) and conversion
of the product ( X C7 H5O2 Na ).
 Draw a graph between CNaOH
t
and time t if it gives straight line with negative slope it
is zero order reaction.
 Draw a graph between  ln  CNaOH
t 0
/ CNaOH  and time t if it gives straight line then it is
1st order reaction.
 Draw a graph between 1/ CNaOH t
and time t if it gives a straight line then it is 2nd
order reaction.
 If it is not any of these orders then use nth order equation to find the order of reaction.
 Find the rate constant (k) of the reaction from the slope by using formula (2nd order):
o m=k
 Repeat the same procedure at 40oC, 55oC at same speed.
 Then calculate the activation energy of the reaction at these given temperatures by
using Arrhenius equation.

Zero order 1st order

2nd order

Graphs for zero, 1st & 2nd order reactions.

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Precautions:
 Take readings carefully from the stopwatch.
 Check electrical configuration carefully.
 Take the readings carefully from the conductivity meter.
 Always wear lab coats.

OBSESERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

Benzoic acid solution: Sodium hydroxide solution:

mass mass
molarity  molarity 
M .W  vol. M .W  vol.
mass mass
0.02  0.03 
122.12( g / mol )  0.25L 40( g / mol )  0.25L
g g
mass  0.61 mass  0.3( )
0.25L 0.25L

CO-RELATIONS:
At t = ∞
Case-1
if
CCin7 H6O2 < CinNaOH
CC7 H5O2 Na = CCin7 H6O2  0.02mol / dm3

Case-2
If

CCin7 H6O2  CNaOH

in

CC7 H5O2 Na  CNaOH

in
 0.024mol / dm3

Case-3
If

CCin7 H 6O2  CNaOH

in


CNaOH  CNaOH
in
 CCin7 H 6O2
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= 0.004 mol/dm 3
 if
T  298K
1.  C0 7 H5O2 Na  0
2.  0NaOH  0.248 1  0.0184 T  298   CNaOH
0

3.  C7 H5O2 Na  0.091 1  0.0284 T  298   CC7 H5O2 Na

4.  NaOH  0.248 1  0.0184 T  298   CNaOH


 0   0NaOH   C0 7 H5O2 Na
    NaOH   C7 H5O2 Na

From the above relations the value of conductivity at different time and temperature is:
for for

T = 25 C  298 K T = 40 C  313K
 0   0NaOH   C0 7 H5O2 Na  0   0NaOH   C0 7 H5O2 Na
 0  5.95mS  0mS  5.95mS  0  22.38mS  0mS  22.38mS
    NaOH   C7 H5O2 Na     NaOH   C7 H5O2 Na
   0.992mS  1.82mS  2.812mS    1.27mS  2.60mS  3.87mS

for
T = 55 C  328 K
 0   0NaOH   C0 7 H5O2 Na
 0  38.81mS  0mS  38.81mS
    NaOH   C7 H5O2 Na
   1.54mS  3.37mS  4.91mS

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At
T  25C  298K

Sr. Time Conductivity t

CNaOH t
X Ct 7 H5O2 Na
t
C NaOH t
1/ CNaOH
# (sec.) (mS)
X NaOH  ln( 0 )
(g/L) C NaOH
1 0 3.69 0.009596 0.60017 0.720204 0.916716 104.2109
2 30 3.65 0.009341 0.610792 0.732951 0.943642 107.0551
3 60 3.62 0.00915 0.618759 0.742511 0.964324 109.2923
4 90 3.58 0.008895 0.629382 0.755258 0.992583 112.4248
5 120 3.54 0.00864 0.640004 0.768005 1.021663 115.7421
6 150 3.51 0.008449 0.647971 0.777565 1.044042 118.3615
7 180 3.47 0.008194 0.658594 0.790312 1.074682 122.0442
8 210 3.44 0.008003 0.66656 0.799873 1.098294 124.9602
9 240 3.44 0.008003 0.66656 0.799873 1.098294 124.9602
10 270 3.44 0.008003 0.66656 0.799873 1.098294 124.9602

At
T  40C  313K

Sr. Time Conductivity t

CNaOH t
X Ct 7 H5O2 Na
t
C NaOH t
1/ CNaOH
# (sec.) (mS)
X NaOH  ln( 0
)
(g/L) C NaOH
1 0 5.63 0.005911 0.75369 0.904428 1.401163 169.1633
2 30 5.58 0.005857 0.75594 0.907127 1.410339 170.7227
3 60 5.55 0.005825 0.757289 0.908747 1.415886 171.6722
4 90 5.51 0.005782 0.759089 0.910907 1.423329 172.9548
5 120 5.47 0.005739 0.760889 0.913067 1.430828 174.2567
6 150 5.44 0.005706 0.762239 0.914687 1.436489 175.246
7 180 5.41 0.005674 0.763589 0.916307 1.442183 176.2467
8 210 5.38 0.005641 0.764939 0.917927 1.447909 177.2588
9 240 5.38 0.005641 0.764939 0.917927 1.447909 177.2588
10 270 5.38 0.005641 0.764939 0.917927 1.447909 177.2588

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At
T  55C  328K

Sr. Time Conductivity t

CNaOH t
X Ct 7 H5O2 Na
t
C NaOH t
1/ CNaOH
# (sec.) (mS)
X NaOH  ln( 0
)
(g/L) C NaOH
1 0 6.27 0.004802 0.799902 0.959882 1.608946 208.231
2 30 6.22 0.004773 0.801131 0.961357 1.615108 209.5179
3 60 6.17 0.004743 0.80236 0.962832 1.621307 210.8209
4 90 6.13 0.00472 0.803343 0.964012 1.626295 211.875
5 120 6.09 0.004696 0.804326 0.965192 1.631308 212.9397
6 150 6.06 0.004678 0.805064 0.966077 1.635084 213.7453
‘7 180 6.04 0.004667 0.805556 0.966667 1.637609 214.2857
8 210 5.97 0.004625 0.807276 0.968732 1.646498 216.199
9 240 5.97 0.004625 0.807276 0.968732 1.646498 216.199
10 270 5.97 0.004625 0.807276 0.968732 1.646498 216.199

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Graphs:

Conversin:

Graph between time and

0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
.

0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
time

At T = 298K At T = 313K At T = 328K

Graph between time and

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
.

0.4
0.2
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
time

At T = 298K At T = 313K At T = 328K

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Graph between time and inverse of concentration gives us a straight line which shows that it
is a second order reaction.

Graph between time and

130
125 y = 0.0852x + 104.89
120
At T = 298K
115
.
110
105
100
0 100 200 300
time

Graph between time and

180
178 y = 0.0318x + 169.91
176 At T = 313K
174
.

172
170
168
0 100 200 300
time

Graph between time and

218
216 y = 0.031x + 208.82
214
212 At T = 328K
.

210
208
206
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
time

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By using this relation we calculated the concentration of NaOH at different time.

   1  
 0   CNaOH  CNaOH   CNaOH
t 0 0
CNaOH
 0   
From the above graph i.e. graph between time and inverse of concentration, calculate the
slope which is equal to the rate constant “k”:
 At T = 298K
m=k
k = 0.0852 dm3/mol.s
 At T = 313K
k = 0.0318 dm3/mol.s
 At T = 328K
k = 0.031 dm3/mol.s

Sr. # Temperature (K) k (dm3/mol.s)

1 298 0.031

2 313 0.0318

3 328 0.0852

Activation energy:
E 1
ln k     ln A
R T
y  mx  c

Sr. # Temperature k lnk 1/T

3
(K) (dm /mol.s)
1 298 0.031 -3.47377 0.003356

2 313 0.0318 -3.44829 0.003195

3 328 0.0852 -2.46275 0.003049

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 Graph between lnk and 1/T
0.0034
0.00335
0.0033
0.00325
lnk
y = -0.5055x + 0.0025 0.0032
0.00315
0.0031
0.00305
0.003
-4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0
1/T

From graph
m = -0.5055
So,

E
m( slope) 
R
m  R  E
0.5055  8.314   E
J
E  4.203
mol

Conductivity:
“Conductivity is a measure of the ability of solution to pass an electrical current.”
 Conductivity is highly dependent on temperature. When we increase the
temperature of a solution its conductivity also increases.
 Its unit is mS.

Neutralization and conductivity:

The conductivity of a neutralized acid-base mixture is dependent on the salt produced:
 If the salt produced is a soluble salt, then the neutralized acid-base mixture is a
good conductor of electricity. It is because soluble salts produce lots of free
moving ions in water.
 If the salt produced is an insoluble salt, then the neutralized acid-base mixture
will be a conductor of electricity. It is because insoluble salts produce very
few free moving ions in water.

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CONCLUSION:
In the Neutralization reaction of Benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide, we conclude that
the given reaction is a Second order reaction (conclude from graph between inverse of
conc. and time). The value of rate constant increases with increase of temperature (minor
increase due to little temp. change i.e. 15 oC). The activation energy calculated for this reaction
is 4.203J/mol.

Reference:
 Chemical Reaction Engineering, 3rd Edition by Octave Levenspiel.
 https://www.chemistryscl.com/reactions/carboxylic-acid-NaOH-reaction/index.php
 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore lab manual, Department of
Chemical Engineering.

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