FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD FOR SOLVING 2-DIMENSIONAL DIFFUSION-REACTION EQUATIONS OF BOUNDARY-LAYER TYPE IN POROUS CATALYST PELLET

In this paper, finite element method (FEM) is used to solve two-dimens ional diffusion-reaction equations of boundary layer type. This kind o f equations are usually too complicated and difficult to be solved by applying the traditional methods used in chemical engineering because of the steep gradients of concentration and temperature. But, these di fficulties are easy to be overcomed when the FEM is used. The integrad ed steps of solving this kind of problems by the FEM are presented in this paper. By applying the FEM to the two actual examples, the conclu sion can be reached that the FEM has the advantages of simplicity and good accuracy.