MULTIPLE STEADY-STATES IN MAXIMUM MIXEDNESS REACTORS

The problem of the possible existence of multiple steady states in maximum mixedness reactors is analyzed. A formal solution of Zwietering’s equation for arbitrary kinetics and residence time distribution is given, and two alternate cases are identified, depending on whether the residence time distribution is such that a special limit for large time exists. In the smooth case where the limit exists, multiple steady states emerge naturally from the classical Zwietering procedure. In the oscillating case the procedure is just not applicable. The analysis is trivially extended to the case of continuous mixtures under some simplifying assumption for the relevant kinetic laws. © 1990, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.