An Optimization-Based Approach for the Operability Analysis of Continuously Stirred Tank Reactors

A generalized methodology for examining the inherent operability characteristics of chemical reactors is presented. This approach is developed by extending the operability framework proposed by Vinson and Georgakis (In DYCOPS-5, 5th IFAC Symposium on Dynamics and Control of Process Systems; Pergamon Press, 1998 and J. Process Control 2000, 10, 185−194) and Uzturk and Georgakis (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2001, manuscript submitted) to nonsquare systems. This extension is motivated by the fact that operability problems with more control variables than set-point-controlled outputs are more common. In this formulation, both the steady-state and dynamic operability analyses require the solution of families of optimization problems. The proposed methodology is employed to investigate the integration of the design and control of systems of a single CSTR and two CSTRs in series. Results obtained show that (i) reactors operating at higher temperatures are inherently faster than reactors operating at lower temperatures,...