Multistability and hysteresis in an industrial ammonia reactor

A model for an industrial ammonia reactor was studied with nonlinear- analysis tools. This model was recently considered to explain an industrial incident involving the onset of sustained oscillations due to a sudden decrease in the reactor pressure. The analysis was based on the bifurcation diagrams. Both multistability and hysteretic behaviors described here can be useful for an effective plant design, as well as for an adequate plant control and operation.A model for an industrial ammonia reactor was studied with nonlinear-analysis tools. This model was recently considered to explain an industrial incident involving the onset of sustained oscillations due to a sudden decrease in the reactor pressure. The analysis was based on the bifurcation diagrams. Both multistability and hysteretic behaviors described here can be useful for an effective plant design, as well as for an adequate plant control and operation.