Effect of process modeling on the nonlinear behaviour of a CSTR Reactions A -> B -> C

In this work the nonlinear behaviour of a CSTR in which two exothermic irre versible first-order reactions in series A --> B --> C take place, when the jacket energy balance is incorporated in the CSTR mathematical model, is a nalyzed. Catastrophe theory is used to study the parameters with respect to which output multiplicities, input multiplicities, isola formation and dis joint bifurcations may exist. One main objective of this work is to address the effect of including the jacket energy balance on the nonlinear behavio ur of the CSTR. The results show that the steady-state open-loop nonlinear behaviour of CSTRs, modeled without and with the jacket energy balance, is quite different. Using the software XPP-AUTO different bifurcation maps wer e obtained. Five operating regions were characterized. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience S.A. All rights reserved.