Pattern formation in homogeneous reactor models

This work analyzes pattern formation mechanisms in the homogeneous model of a fixed catalytic bed for reactions with oscillatory kinetics. Two cases a re analyzed: a nonadiabatic reactor with a continuous mass-supply (either b y a preceding reaction or via a membrane wall), and a simple adiabatic or c ooled reactor. In the former case, the system may reach asymptotic space-in dependent solutions, and when bistability of such solutions exists fronts m ay be established. Stationary or oscillatory front solutions, oscillatory s tates that sweep the whole surface, or excitation fronts may be realized th en and the reactor behavior can be predicted from the sequence of phase pla nes spanned by the reactor. In an adiabatic reactor, fronts are formed only for sufficiently small Pe numbers, but these frontlike solution do not sep arate different steady states. The patterns that can be realized in this ca se are quite similar to those in the previous case. The reactor behavior ca n be predicted by the sequence of phase planes spanned by the reactor, usin g an approximate finite difference presentation.