Absorption of carbon monoxide with reversible reaction in CuAlCl₄-toluene-complex solutions

Abstract

The absorption of CO in CuAlCl₄-toluene-complex solutions was studied in a stirred reactor. The reaction was found to occur in a fast reaction regime. The effect of CO partial pressure, CuAlCl₄-toluene-complex concentration and temperature on the rate of absorption was studied. The results have been interpreted using a theoretical model for mass transfer with reversible chemical reaction and the rate parameters were determined. The equilibrium constants were also determined experimentally. An interesting observation showing a decrease in the rate with an increase in temperature was made for this system. This is explained on the basis of a higher activation energy for the reverse reaction. The activation energies evaluated for the forward and reverse reactions are 32.93 and 97.42 kJ/mol, respectively.