An efficient computational scheme for building operating maps for a flow reversal reactor

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a two dimensional heterogeneous computational model for the catalytic reverse flow reactor for the combustion of lean methane mixtures. A uniform design method is used to generate a table of 41 operating points. The results from these points were used to generate a simple empirical model for the reactor at a single specified value of the superficial gas velocity. Stability maps that show the envelope for operation that satisfy a minimum level of conversion and a maximum operating temperature are generated using the empirical model. These maps delineate all possible combinations of methane concentration, switch time and mass extraction rate that are capable of giving stable operating conditions that meet these two criteria. The model is potentially useful in model predictive control of the reactor.