Nonlinear dynamics of a VOC combustion loop reactor

Bifurcation analysis of a network of three catalytic combustors with periodically switched feed position is carried out. The influence of the switch time, of the feed temperature and of the heat exchange coefficient at the wall on the dynamical behavior is studied by a numerical continuation technique based on the spatiotemporal symmetry of the forced system. Symmetric and asymmetric periodic regimes are detected as the bifurcation parameters are changed. The stability range of periodic ignited regimes and their bifurcations are analyzed. In particular, it appears that some complex regimes are the only stable ignited regimes at ambient feed temperature in several operating conditions. (c) 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 52: 2812-2822, 2006.