Uniqueness criteria for lumped and distributed parameter chemically reacting systems

Abstract New criteria are presented for the a priori prediction of the conditions under which a unique steady state solution exists for chemically reacting systems. The method enables the determination of the necessary and sufficient conditions for uniqueness of lumped systems and sufficient conditions for uniqueness of distributed parameter systems. The criteria point out certain inherent pitfalls of any lumping procedure. The agreement between the bounds obtained for the distributed systems and exact numerical solutions is very satisfactory.