Rate vs Equilibrium Considerations

With regard to chemical reactions, there are two important questions that are of concern to the engineer  

Chemical thermodynanucs provides the answer to the first question however, it provides nothing about the second.  

To illustrate the difference and importance of both of the above questions in an engineering analysis of a chemical reaction, consider the following process. Substance A, which costs 1 cent/ton, can be converted to B, which costs 1 million/lh, hy the reaction A B. Chenucal thermodynamics will provide information on the maximum amount of B that can be formed. If 99.99% of A can be converted to B, the reaction would then appear to be economically feasible, from a thermodynamic point of view. However, a kinetic analysis might indicate that 

Equilibrium and rate are therefore both important factors to be considered in the design and prediction of the performance of equipment employed for chemical reactions. The rate at which a reaction proceeds will depend on the departure fiom equilibrium, with the rate at which equilibrium is established essentially dependent on a host of factors. As noted, this rate process ceases upon the attainment of equilibrium. 

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Rate vs Equilibrium Considerations Representation of Rate Expressions Solutions to Rate Expressions Reaction Rate Theories... 

The first section on reaction rates covers a broad spectrum of related topics. The definition of the rate of reaction, the reaction velocity constant, and the order of reaction are presented. The variables affecting the rate are also discussed. This is followed by a section entitled Rate vs Equilibrium Considerations. The equations for many different types of reactions are developed in the third section. Particular emphasis is placed on notation, nomenclature, and units. The fourth section reviews the solution to numerous rate expressions. The chapter concludes with a section on the present day theories on reaction rates. Although many of the examples are presented in terms of species A, B, C, and so on, real systems are examined throughout the book in later chapters,... 

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