Premium
Multiplicity features of nonadiabatic, autothermal tubular reactors
Author(s) -
Lovo Marianne,
Balakotaiah Vemuri
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690380112
Subject(s) - adiabatic process , asymptote , singularity , uniqueness , limiting , bifurcation , mechanics , multiplicity (mathematics) , thermodynamics , mathematics , statistical physics , physics , mathematical analysis , nonlinear system , engineering , mechanical engineering , quantum mechanics
Singularity theory is combined with asymptotic analysis to determine the exact uniqueness‐multiplicity boundary and ignition and extinction locus for the non‐adiabatic, autothermal tubular reactor model. It is found that the steady‐state behavior of the nonadiabatic reactor is described by the two limiting cases of adiabatic and strongly cooled models. The adiabatic case has been examined in a previous study. Here, we develop limiting models to describe the strongly cooled asymptotes. We also classify the different types of bifurcation diagrams of conversion vs. residence time using the results of singularity theory with a distinguished parameter. Analytical criteria are developed for predicting the conditions under which autothermal operation is feasible when heat losses are significant.