The Prediction of Instability in Tubular Chlorinators of Rocksavage Type: Part I
February 10th, 1969
Group II report, ICI Central Instrument Research Lab
S F Bush
Summary
Sudden cessation of reaction has been observed in reactors in which fresh feed gas is brought to reaction temperature by the entrainment of hotter, partially reacted gas. Observations have been made on the plant-scale and pilot-scale versions of these reactors. On the pilot-scale, the instability was induced by small measurable disturbances in the inlet flows. A mathematical analysis of the dynamics of the reacting system is used to predict the range of conditions for which steady reaction is possible, the magnitude of the disturbances necessary to extinguish steady reaction once established, and the influence of geometrical factors on the stability of the reaction system. Within the limits of the analysis, the predictions are in reasonable agreement with experimental results on both the plant-scale and the pilot-scale reactors. The results of the study have been used to modify the internal design of the plant reactors in order to obtain greater stability of reaction. So far as is known the occurrence of unexplained temperature collapses has been largely, if not completely, eliminated.