The gas-phase reaction
A + B > C + D
takes place isothermally at 300 K in a packed-bed reactor in which the feed is equal molar in A and B with CA0 = 0.1 mol/dm^3. The reaction is second order in A and zero order in B. Currently, 50% conversion is achieved in a reactor with 100 kg of catalysts for a volumetric flow rate 100 dm^3/min. The pressure-drop parameter, α, is α = 0.0099 kg–1.
a. If the activation energy is 10,000 cal/mol, what is the specific reaction rate constant at 400 K?