1. What is Number of Moles of Reactant Fed Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the initial amount of reactant fed to a chemical reactor based on the unreacted amount and conversion percentage.

Purpose: It helps chemical engineers and students analyze reactor performance and material balances.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( N_{Ao} \) — Initial moles of reactant-A fed (moles)
• \( N_A \) — Moles of unreacted reactant-A (moles)
• \( X_A \) — Reactant conversion (decimal between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula calculates the original amount of reactant by accounting for what fraction was converted.

3. Importance of Reactant Calculation

Details: Accurate reactant calculations are essential for reactor design, process optimization, and cost estimation in chemical processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the moles of unreacted reactant and the conversion percentage as a decimal (e.g., 70% = 0.7). Conversion must be between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does reactant conversion mean?
A: Reactant conversion (XA) represents the fraction of reactant that has been converted to products, ranging from 0 (no conversion) to 1 (complete conversion).

Q2: Why can't conversion be exactly 1?
A: At 100% conversion (XA=1), the denominator becomes zero, making the calculation undefined. Complete conversion is theoretically impossible.

Q3: How do I measure unreacted moles?
A: Unreacted moles are typically measured through analytical techniques like chromatography or titration of the reactor effluent.

Q4: Does this work for batch and continuous reactors?
A: Yes, the formula applies to both batch and continuous reactor systems for calculating initial reactant amounts.

Q5: What if I have multiple reactants?
A: This calculation is for a single reactant. For multiple reactants, you'll need to perform separate calculations for each.