The irreversible elementary gas phase reaction 2a --> b + c is currently carried out in a packed bed reactor (pbr) containing 100 kg of catalyst. the entering pressure is 20 atm and the exit pressure is 4 atm. under steady state operating conditions, 50% conversion is achieved. it is proposed to add a cstr with 200 kg of catalyst downstream of the pbr. there is no pressure drop in the cstr. the flow rate and temperature remain unchanged. (a) what would be the overall conversion in such an arrangement? (b) is there a better way to carry out the reaction (i. e., increase conversion), and if so what is it?