On the dynamics of the circulation loop reactor - numerical methods and analysis

The Circulation Loop Reactor has been developed during the last years as an alternative to the well-known switch flow reactor. In contrast to the latter the CLR is intended to work as an autonomous periodic system. Suitable operating conditions are determined by a bifurcation analysis. Further, we study domains of attraction and the transient behavior towards the different attractors. The analysis reveals a rich dynamic and steady-state behavior. The desired periodic regime is shown to be achievable for a large subset of operating conditions and to be robust with respect to disturbances. For the analysis numerical methods have been developed and integrated into the dynamic simulator DIVA. the methods are suitable for bifurcation and stability analysis of general, large multi unit plants and processes usually arising in the chemical process industries.