The use of positive feedback control systems to improve reactor performance

Abstract

Abstract Positive feedback control systems sometimes can be used to make stable chemical reactors generate periodic outputs. For one set of system parameters the time average conversion obtained from the oscillating reactor was approximately 20% higher than the economic optimum steady state value; for another case the time average operating cost was approximately 5% lower than that corresponding to the optimum steady state design. A general method for predicting when an improvement can be obtained is presented.