Multiplicity of conversion in a cascade of imperfectly stirred tank reactors

The multiple steady states of conversion in the model of non-ideal CSTR's in series have been studied for irreversible, homogeneous exothermic reaction of first order. The influences of the parameters p and n and those of some kinetic parameters on the occurrence of multiple conversions for a given residence time are presented. The existence of steady-state multiplicity of conversion in each CSTR is shown to be independent of n and depen largely on the values of E/RT₀ (activation energy), b/T₀ (heat of reaction), and p. For certain parametric values, more than three steady states can exist in such a model.