The objective of the research is to improve experimental and theoretical capabilities to characterize and understand how the nonlinearities of catalytic reactions are manifested in reactor behavior. An integrated experimental and theoretical approach is planned to explain the dynamics of catalytic reactions and reactors. Catalytic reactions often have nonlinear kinetics which provide the autocatalytic steps necessary for oscillations. The plan is to study such systems as well as the responses of nonlinear systems to forced disturbances and systems consisting of two or more coupled spontaneous oscillators (such systems approximate spatial waves). The work could have substantial impact in two ways: (1) as reactor types and operating conditions become more intricate, these phenomena may be exploited by industry in the design and the operating phase to improve reactor performance; and (2) aid in the design of efficient control mechanisms for such linked systems where disturbances can propagate in unpredictable ways.
