Langmuir-Hinshelwood Reaction in a Plug Flow Reactor

partial pressures

catalyst coverage

rate

temperature (K)

298

ratio of inlet partial pressures

P

CO

/

P

O

2

1

CO +

1

2

O

2

catalyst

⟶

CO

2

The oxidation of carbon monoxide

CO

occurs on a supported metal catalyst in a plug flow reactor (PFR). The rate-determining step is the reaction of adsorbed

CO

and adsorbed atomic oxygen

O

. Use sliders to vary the temperature and the ratio of the feed partial pressures of

CO

to

O

2

. Use buttons to plot the partial pressures, fractional surface coverages, and the rate of reaction down the length of the reactor. Because

CO

adsorbs more strongly than oxygen, the

CO

surface coverage is much higher than the oxygen atom surface coverage closer to the inlet of the reactor. As the

CO

reacts and its partial pressure decreases, the oxygen surface coverage increases.