Theoretical analysis of the warm-up of monolithic reactors under non-reacting conditions

The simplified model for the warm-up of monolithic reactors under non-react ing conditions that has been proposed and solved numerically by Kollsakis ( 1997) is analysed from a mathematical point of view. For the case of zero w all conductivity a previously known analytical solution is discussed. A new analytical solution based on expansion in a series of non-orthonormal eige nfunctions is given for the case of finite conductivity. Also the Green fun ctions of the problem are derived and their use is pointed out for tackling the problem with additional source terms or/and boundary conditions. Gener al advice is given for the choice of the best solution method depending on the values of the problem parameters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.