Nonlinear Behavior of Reactor−Separator Networks:  Influence of Separator Control Structure

In this paper we analyze the behavior of a coupled reactor−separator system with reactant recycle. The reactor is represented by a continuously stirred tank reactor, and the separator is represented by a flash unit. The reactor is operated isothermally and sustains a first-order reaction A → B. The...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Industrial & engineering chemistry research 2003-07, Vol.42 (14), p.3294-3303
Main Authors: Zeyer, K.-P, Pushpavanam, S, Kienle, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chemical engineering
Exact sciences and technology
Reactors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this paper we analyze the behavior of a coupled reactor−separator system with reactant recycle. The reactor is represented by a continuously stirred tank reactor, and the separator is represented by a flash unit. The reactor is operated isothermally and sustains a first-order reaction A → B. The individual units always possess a unique, stable, and feasible steady state. Surprisingly, even for the simple model system considered here, more complex patterns of behaviorinvolving infeasibility, multiple steady states, and limit cyclescan be observed when the recycle is closed. It is shown that the behavior crucially depends on the flow and the flash control strategy. Stability criteria are derived for different flow and flash control strategies. They depend on the operating conditions and on the basic physicochemical properties of the mixture. Potential sources for instability are systematically identified and illustrated.
ISSN:0888-5885
1520-5045
DOI:10.1021/ie020768n