Graphical methods equal-area differentiation

Graphical Method. With this method disparities in the data are easily seen. As explained in Appendix A.2, the graphical method involves plotting AC, /At as a fimction of t and then using equal-area differentiation to obtain dCJdt. An illustrative example is also given in Appendix A.2. 

Differential Method In order to use the differential method of data analysis, it is necessary to differentiate the reactant concentration versus space-time data obtained in a plug-flow PBR. There are three methods of differentiation that are commonly used (i) graphical equal-area differentiation, (ii) numerical differentiation or finite difference formulas, and (iii) polynomial fit to the data followed by analytical differentiation. The aim of differentiation is to obtain point values of the reaction rate ( Ra)p at each reactant concentration Q4 or conversion xa or space time (.W/Fao), as required. All three differentiation methods can introduce some error to the evaluation of -Ra)p- Information on and illustration of the various differentiation techniques are available in the literature [23, 26]. 

Three methods are commonly used to estimate this quantity (1) slopes from a plot of n versus f, (2) equal-area graphic differentiation, or (3) Taylor series expansion. For details on these, see a mathematics handbook. The derivatives as found by equal-area graphic differentiation and other pertinent data are shown in the following table ... 

---