The driving force distribution for minimum lost work in a chemical reactor close to and far from equilibrium.: 2.: Oxidation of SO2

Our mathematical procedure for the determination of the driving force distribution in a chemical reactor that has minimum entropy production for a given production rate is applied to the oxidation of SO2 to SO3. The force of reaction that gives the minimum total entropy production is much more constant through the reactor than is a force taken from a standard textbook example. The entropy production has a peak at the entrance of the reactor. The inverse temperature plot shows that the optimal force is nearly at equal distance from the equilibrium line in the end of the reactor. Two practical ways that do not include changes in the apparatus are suggested to minimize the actual entropy production of the reactor. Reductions of 5% and 21% are obtained. The ideal result suggests that there is room for further improvements, especially if the apparatus is changed.