PERIODIC OPERATION OF ISOTHERMAL PLUG-FLOW REACTORS WITH INPUT MULTIPLICITIES

The performance of isothermal plug-flow tubular reactors under periodi c inlet concentrations is theoretically analyzed for improvement in yi eld for homogeneous consecutive reactions A --> B --> C which, under c onventional steady-state operation, show input multiplicities in the f low rate on the yield of B. Two values of flow rate give an identical yield of B under steady-state operation. For periodic operation, a rec tangular pulse is assumed for the inlet concentration. It is shown in three numerical examples that under concentration forcing the yield is significantly different for these two inlet flow rates. Under periodi c operation the larger value of flow rate gives a higher yield of B.