Open main menu

Difference between revisions of "Atom Economy"

(Example Calculations)
Line 4: Line 4:
  
 
===About Atom Economy===
 
===About Atom Economy===
: During a [[Chemical Reaction|chemical reaction]] there is often more than one [[product]]. When there is more than one [[product]] often one is desired and one is a [[Waste Product|waste product]] that must be [[disposal|disposed]] of.
+
: During a [[Chemical Reaction|chemical reaction]] there is often more than one [[product]]. When there is more than one [[product]] often one is desired and one is a waste product that must be [[disposal|disposed]] of.
: To reduce costs and increase the [[efficiency]] of a process [[Chemical Engineer|chemical engineers]] design systems that [[product|produce]] the maximum amount of a desired [[product]] and a minimum amount of [[Waste Products|waste products]].
+
: To reduce costs and increase the [[efficiency]] of a process [[Chemical Engineer|chemical engineers]] design systems that [[product|produce]] the maximum amount of a desired [[product]] and a minimum amount of waste products.
  
 
===Atom Economy Equation===
 
===Atom Economy Equation===

Revision as of 14:24, 3 April 2019

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Atom Economy is the percentage of atoms in the reactants which ends up in the desired products.

About Atom Economy

During a chemical reaction there is often more than one product. When there is more than one product often one is desired and one is a waste product that must be disposed of.
To reduce costs and increase the efficiency of a process chemical engineers design systems that produce the maximum amount of a desired product and a minimum amount of waste products.

Atom Economy Equation

Percentage Atom Economy = [(Relative Formula Mass of Desired Product)/(Sum of Relative Formula Masses of Reactants)] x 100%

% Atom Economy = \(\frac{M_p}{M_r} \times 100%\)

Where:

Mp = Relative Formula Mass of Desired Product

Mr = Sum of Relative Formula Masses of Reactants

Example Calculations

Calculate the atom economy for producing Ammonia in the following reaction: N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)

Calculate the atom economy for producing Calcium Oxide in the following reaction: CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

Calculate the atom economy for producing Sodium Chloride in the following reaction: HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Find the Relative Formula Mass of the relevant reactants and product.

Mr of N2 = 28g

Mr of H2 = 2g

Mr of NH3 = 17g

Find the Relative Formula Mass of the relevant reactants and product.

Mr of CaCO3 = 100g

Mr of CaO = 56g

Find the Relative Formula Mass of the relevant reactants and product.

Mr of HCl = 36.5g

Mr of NaOH = 40g

Mr of NaCl = 58.5g

Find the total mass of reactants needed and the total mass of the desired product.

Mass of Reactants = 28 + 3 x 2

Mass of Reactants = 34g

Mass of desired Product = 2 x 17

Mass of desired Product = 34g

Find the total mass of reactants needed and the total mass of the desired product.

Mass of Reactants = 100g

Mass of desired Product = 56g

Find the total mass of reactants needed and the total mass of the desired product.

Mass of Reactants = 36.5 + 40

Mass of Reactants = 76.5g

Mass of desired Product = 58.5g

Substitute the values into the equation.

% Atom Economy = \(\frac{M_p}{M_r} \times 100%\)

% Atom Economy = \(\frac{34}{34} \times 100%\)

% Atom Economy = 100%

Substitute the values into the equation.

% Atom Economy = \(\frac{M_p}{M_r} \times 100%\)

% Atom Economy = \(\frac{56}{100} \times 100%\)

% Atom Economy = 56%

Substitute the values into the equation.

% Atom Economy = \(\frac{M_p}{M_r} \times 100%\)

% Atom Economy = \(\frac{58.5}{76.5} \times 100%\)

% Atom Economy = 76.5%