Chaotic behavior of an autocatalytic reaction with mutation

A conceptual model of an autocatalytic reaction in a continuous stirred tan k reactor in which the autocatalyst undergoes mutation has been examined. T he model consists of a simple set of three ordinary differential equations with seven design parameters. It is shown that self-sustained chaotic behav ior can occur in this system. The regions of chaos are entered and exited a ccording to period-doubling cascades or through a process involving intermi ttency. Lyapunov exponents are calculated to confirm the chaotic behavior. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.