Non-linear dynamics of a VOC combustion loop reactor

Bifurcation analysis of a network of three catalytic combustors with periodicallyswitched feed position is carried out. The influence of the switch time, of the feedtemperature and of the heat exchange coefficient at the wall on the dynamical behavior isstudied by a numerical continuation technique based on the spatiotemporal symmetry ofthe forced system. Symmetric and asymmetric periodic regimes are detected as thebifurcation parameters are changed. The stability range of periodic ignited regimes andtheir bifurcations are analyzed. In particular, it appears that some complex regimes arethe only stable ignited regimes at ambient feed temperature in several operating conditions.