Design implications of the nonlinear dynamics of the monolithic loop reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

The nonlinear behavior of the monolith reactor with a liquid phase recycle for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is investigated. A dimensionless distributed heterogeneous model is developed to describe reactor dynamics and bifurcation analysis is performed by varying the coolant temperature, the reactor gas inlet flow rate and the effectiveness factor of the external heat exchanger. As system parameters vary, coexisting stationary patterns are observed. Stability analysis of the reactor steady state solution regimes is carried out and Hopf bifurcation points are identified. As a result, periodic spatiotemporal patterns are found to arise in wide regions of the parameter space. The evolution of periodic solution regimes is examined by means of numerical simulation of the reactor model. Implications for operation and control are discussed.