Network of three catalytic reactors with periodical feed switching for methanol synthesis: bifurcation analysis.

In this paper the bifurcation analysis of a network of three catalytic reactors with periodical feed switching for methanol synthesis is carried out and the influence of switch time on the stability and on the performance is addressed. With a methodology based on the construction of discrete maps, the continuation of periodic regimes, and the detection of bifurcations are systematically conducted as the switch time. Catastrophic transitions from periodic to quasiperiodic and multiperiodic regimes are detected and discussed. These catastrophic bifurcations are found very close to the optimal periodic regime in methanol yield.