THE STABILITY OF SPATIALLY NONHOMOGENEOUS STEADY STATES IN A TUBULAR CHEMICAL REACTOR

Abstract

We study the axial heat and mass transfer in a highly diffusive tubular chemical reactor in which a simple reaction is occurring. The steady state solutions of the governing equations are studied using matched asymptotic expansions, the theory of dynamical systems, and by calculating the solutions numerically. In particular, the effect of varying the Peclet and Damköhler numbers (P and D) is investigated. A simple expression for the approximate location of the transition layer for large Peclet number is derived and its accuracy tested against the numerical solution. The stability of the steady states is examined by calculating the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the linearized equations. It is shown that a Hopf bifurcation of the CSTR model (i.e., the limit as the P approaches zero) can be continued up to order 1 in the Peclet number. Furthermore, it is shown numerically that for appropriate values of the Peclet number, the Damköhler number, and B (the heat of reaction) these Hopf bifurcations merge with the limit points of an "S–shaped" bifurcation curve in a higher order singularity controlled by the Bogdanov–Takens normal form. Consequently, there must exist a finite amplitude, nonuniform, stable periodic solution for parameter values near this singularity. The existence of higher order degeneracies is also explored. In particular, it is shown for D ≪ 1 that no value of P exists where two pairs of complex conjugate eigenvalues of the steady state solutions can cross the imaginary axis simultaneously.