Classification of behaviour in a steady plug-flow model of catalytic combustion

We take a model for steady-state plug-flow in a single channel of a catalyt ic monolith reactor and then solve the appropriate boundary value problem f or a range of parameter values, using continuation methods adapted from dyn amical systems theory. The problem is solved using either of two methods, s hooting or relaxation. We show the effect of varying different parameters o n the positions of the turning points in parameter space, and discuss the p ractical implications of these variations in qualitative behaviour for the design and operation of such a system. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.