getting the most from reactants

Question 1

What are industrial processes designed to do?

Answer 1

To maximise profit and minimise the impact on the environment

Question 2

Name 5 factors influencing industrial process design…

Answer 2

• availability, sustainability and cost of feedstock(s)
• opportunities for recycling
• energy requirements
• marketability of by-products
• product yield

Question 3

name 3 environmental considerations…

Answer 3

• minimising waste
• avoiding the use of production of toxic substances
• designing products which will biodegrade if appropriate

Question 4

Describe the factor of availability, sustainability and cost of feedstock(s)…

Answer 4

Profit making if process relies on feedstock locally sourced, keeps low costs and maximises profit.
Profit losing if feedstock from afar, affects cost, safety and environment; If feedstock is rare; if feedstock is too expensive.

Question 5

Describe the factor of recycling opportunities…

Answer 5

Profit making if unreacted start materials fed back into reactor; if water used in process is recycled, this reduces waste.
profit losing if very difficult to separate unreacted start materials at end, makes it inefficient and wasteful.

Question 6

Describe the factor of the use of by-products…

Answer 6

Profit making if reactions produce more than one product so other products can be used in the process or sold to other companies.
Profit losing if by=products are toxic, very corrosive or environmentally damaging as expensive to deal with these.

Question 7

Describe the factor of energy requirements…

Answer 7

Profit making if exothermic reactions can be used to heat in reaction or building; also use of catalysts to speed up reaction rate instead of high temperatures.
Profit losing if reactions require heating or cooling.

Question 8

Describe the factor of the yield of products…

Answer 8

Profit making if high yield of product.
Profit losing if low yields as reaction must be run several times.