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There are several stages in the industrial production of methanol from methane - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 9 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 9
There are several stages in the industrial production of methanol from methane. The first stage involves a gaseous equilibrium between the reactants (methane and st... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:There are several stages in the industrial production of methanol from methane - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 9 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Stage 1: Deductions from graph
Answer
To determine the optimum conditions for the conversion of methane, we need to examine Figures 1 and 2. From Figure 1, we can observe that the percentage conversion of methane increases with an increase in temperature up to around 780-800°C. This indicates that the reaction is endothermic, as higher temperatures favor the formation of products.
Conversely, Figure 2 illustrates that increasing pressure results in a decrease in the percentage conversion of methane. Therefore, for maximum conversion, lower pressure conditions should be employed.
Step 2
Stage 2: Optimum temperature and explanation
Answer
The optimum temperature for the conversion of methane and steam is in the range of 780-800°C. Operating at this temperature ensures that the endothermic process proceeds effectively, allowing for a significant conversion of reactants into products.
Step 3