Overview
Solutions must be typed. You are the engineer working in a plant and are responsible for the operation of a chemical reactor. The feed to this reactor contains SO2, but as far as you know, the SO2 does not participate in any of the reactions in this system. As part of your monitoring devices, you have rotameters measuring the total volumetric flow rate of the feed and effluent streams (L/min). You also have the ability to measure the concentrations of each stream (mol/L) using a gas chromatograph. A new operator comes to work with you, and as soon as he comes in, he claims that the SO2 must be reacting within the unit. He shows you that he calculated the molar flow rate of SO2 by multiplying the volumetric flow rate and concentration for each stream, and found out that the SO2 molar flow rate in the effluent is 20 % lower than in the feed. After thinking carefully about the problem, what is your response to the operator? Is he correct? Why or why not? If not, then clearly provide all the possible alternative explanations to explain the data. Please design an experiment (for instance, using a new device) that you could use to confirm your hypothesis, whether you agree or disagree with him.