A rate law model for the explanation of complex pH oscillations in the thiourea–iodate–sulfite flow system

Abstract

In a continuous flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR), the reaction of thiourea-iodate-sulfite (TuIS) exhibits a rich variety of complex oscillations in pH. The transitions from 1(n) type oscillations to 1(3), 1(2) type and simple oscillations were observed on decreasing the flow rate gradually in small steps at 30.2 °C and 20.5 °C, respectively. The transitions from 1(n) type oscillations to 1(0)1(4), 1(0)1(3) type and simple oscillations were observed as well on increasing the temperature in small steps at a given flow rate. Based on the analogous iodate-sulfite-thiosulfate system a simple empirical rate law model is suggested to give a sound agreement between the experimental and simulated results on the complex oscillatory behaviour. A possible explanation of the emergence of the simple empirical rate law model from the mechanism of the individual reactions of the TuIS system is also discussed.