Multiplicity features of distributed systems—I. Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction in a porous catalyst

✍ Scribed by George S. Witmer; Vemuri Balakotaiah; Dan Luss

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 885 KB
• Volume: 41
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0009-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-2509(86)85212-5

✦ Synopsis

A simple procedure is presented for predicting the multiplicity features of distributed-parameter systems described by a single two-point boundary-value problem. The scheme enables division of the parameter space into regions corresponding to different numbers of solutions. It is shown that when a Langmuir-Hinshelwood exothermic reaction is carried out in a porous catalytic slab two distinct parameter regions exist, in each of which five solutions exist. When the same reaction is carried out isothermally in a slab, at most three solutions exist. However, when it is carried out in a cylindrical or spherical pellet a region with 2n + 1 solutions exists for any n 3 0. A simple scheme is presented for predicting the minimal Thiele modulus 4 and dimensionless adsorption coefficient K values for which 2n + 1 solutions exist.