Optimization by Distributed Control of Reactors with Decaying Catalyst

Abstract

<p> The quasi-steady state optimization of a single tubular fixed bed chemical reactor with a slowly decaying catalyst is considered. The optimal choice of temperature T(z,t) distributed in both the space of the reactor and in chronological time is sought so as to maximize the total amount of reaction in a fixed given period of time. A single irreversible reaction is considered with a rate expressible as a product of separate functions of temperature, activity and conversion. The rate of catalyst decay is also a product of separate functions of temperature and activity but independent of conversion. Upper and lower bounds are placed on the permitted temperature. Theoretical characterization of the optimal policy is obtained using Sirazetdinov and Degtyarev's maximum principle derived for first-order partial differential equations and the influence of the ratio of reaction activation energy to catalyst deactivation energy on the derived optimal policy is indicated. Numerical calculations are presented to illustrate the optimal policies.</p>