Steady-state operability characteristics of idealized reactors

Operability analysis is one of the bridges that links process design and co ntrol. In this paper, we analyze the steady-state operability characteristi cs of classical reactors (CSTR and PER) in the framework of Vinson and Geor gakis (DYCOPS-5. Fifth IFAC Symposium on Dynamics and Control of Process Sy stems. 1998, pp. 700-709, J, Proc. Control 10 (2000) 185). Reaction schemes vary from simple first-order A --> B to industrially relevant competing re actions. The nonlinear nature of reactors requires the use of special compu tational techniques for the determination of the operability index (OI). Th is study clearly brings out the potential of the OI framework. In addition to measuring the servo, regulatory, and overall operability of the systems studied. we were able to identify safe operating regions and tolerable dist urbances with the available inputs. This analysis also points to optimized process conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.