Exact uniqueness and multiplicity criteria of n-th order reaction in non-adiabatic CSTR via simple tangent analysis.

Abstract

Exact uniqueness and multiplicity criteria of steady state in a non-adiabatic continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) are established through simple tangent analysis for n-th-order exothermic reaction. Criteria for multiplicity can be divided into four cases, i. e., n>1, n=1, 1>n>0, and n=0. The multiplicity criteria for an adiabatic reactor can be readily obtained from non-adiabatic results. Important parameters are reaction order, dimensionless activation energy, dimensionless heat of reaction, dimensionless heat transfer coefficient, dimensionless coolant temperature and dimensionless space time. Observed experimental multiplicity data in the literature are compared with the theory and show good agreement.