Effect of the switch strategy on the stability of reactor networks

The dynamics of a three catalytic reactor network where an exothermic irreversible reaction take place is studied. The network is operated by periodically switching feed and discharge positions, the period being T. We analyzed the effect of two different switch strategies and observed different spatio-temporal patterns. Such difference results from the different spatio-temporal symmetry induced by the switch strategies. Their effect on the stability is studied by comparing the stability range of T periodic regimes as the switch time is varied for different values of the feed temperature. This analysis is conducted by a numerical continuation technique based on the spatio temporal symmetry of the forced system. For low (ambient) feed temperature, the stability ranges of a diabatic reactor respect the criteria proposed by Sheintuch and Nekhamkina1 for adiabatic reactor. We observe that, these criteria cannot be applied at higher feed temperature as a consequence of the external heat losses. One of the examined switch strategy determine a significant widening of the operability conditions.