Analytical optimization and sensitivity analysis of forced periodic chemical processes

Abstract Intentional periodic manipulation of the inputs to a chemical reactor can in some cases improve the amount of product and its composition. A variational method for analyzing the effects of single and multivariable periodic forcing functions on process performance is presented in this work and illustrated in several examples. While the method discussed here is not theoretically justified for large-amplitude input variations, comparisons of analytical results obtained with the method and simulation results for large-amplitude reactor cycling show good qualitative agreement. The approximate analytical method provides a reasonable initial estimate of the structure of an advantageous periodic control.