The efficacy of concentration forcing

✍ Scribed by Rajiv Yadav; Robert G. Rinker

• Book ID: 103007277
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1989
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 579 KB
• Volume: 44
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0009-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-2509(89)85153-x

✦ Synopsis

Concentration forcing research is largely inspired by expectations of improving reactor productivity beyond that attainable under any (including optimal) steady state. Are these expectations reasonable and are they well-grounded? In a recent paper, Nowobilski and Takoudis (1986, Chem. Engng Cmmnrn. 40, 249-264) suggest otherwise.

In their opinion the optimal steady-state productivity cannot he exceeded by periodic forcing of catalytic reactors. However, a survey of the literature reveals that, in several studies (including OUT own), production rates higher than those of the optimal steady state have been obtained

through forced feed cycling of catalytic reactors. In this paper, using such cases as evidence, we contend that improving reactor productivity over the optimal steady state through concentration forcing is not an elusive goal. From reports in the literature, it appears that it has already been realized by several researchers, including ourselves. Chemical Science (Office of Basic Energy Sciences) of the Department of Energy (U.S.A.) under grant number DE-FG03-84ER 13300 is gratefully acknowledged.