Model-based design of experiments for the identification of kinetic models in microreactor platforms

Abstract

Microreactor platforms represent advanced tools in reaction engineering for the quick development of reliable kinetic models. Experiments can be performed with a better reaction temperature control, enhanced heat and mass transfer and mixing of reactants. However, the effectiveness of the model identification procedure is strictly related to the execution of properly designed experiments, allowing elucidation of the reaction mechanisms and providing a precise estimation of the kinetic parameters. In this paper a model-based design of experiments (MBDoE) approach is proposed where experiments are designed for both discriminating among competing models and for improving the estimation of kinetic parameters. The procedure is tested on a real case study related to the identification of kinetic models of methanol oxidation on silver catalyst.