Exothermic Isomerization Reaction in a Reactive Flash: Steady-State Behavior

The paper addresses the steady-state behavior of a reactive flash, characterized by an exothermic isomerization reaction with first-order kinetics and a light-boiling reactant. The dimensionless model distinguishes between the state variables, control parameters, and system properties. The combination of state multiplicity and feasibility boundaries corresponding to no-liquid or no-vapor products leads to complex steady-state behavior. Twenty-five bifurcation diagrams are presented, exhibiting a maximum of three steady states and five feasibility boundaries. Singularity theory is used to divide the Damkohler numberheat input space into regions with qualitatively different behavior for liquid, vapor, and vapor-liquid feeds. Further, it is shown that large heat of reaction, activation energy, and reactant volatility enlarge the range of operating parameters for which multiple states exist.