State space transfer rate operator

The space velocity, often used in the technical literature, is the total volumetric feed rate under normal conditions, F o(Nm /hr) per unit catalyst volume (m X that is, PbF o/W. It is related to the inverse of the space time W/F g used in this text (with W in kg cat. and F q in kmol A/hr). It is seen that, for the nominal space velocity of 13,800 (m /m cat. hr) and inlet temperatures between 224 and 274 C, two top temperatures correspond to one inlet temperature. Below 224 C no autothermal operation is possible. This is the blowout temperature. By the same reasoning used in relation with Fig. 11.5.e-2 it can be seen that points on the left branch of the curve correspond to the unstable, those on the right branch to the upper stable steady state. The optimum top temperature (425°C), leading to a maximum conversion for the given amount of catalyst, is marked with a cross. The difference between the optimum operating top temperature and the blowout temperature is only 5°C, so that severe control of perturbations is required. Baddour et al. also studied the dynamic behavior, starting from the transient continuity and energy equations [26]. The dynamic behavior was shown to be linear for perturbations in the inlet temperature smaller than 5°C, around the conditions of maximum production. Use of approximate transfer functions was very successful in the description of the dynamic behavior. 

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