Semi-analytical solutions for continuous-flow microwave reactors

Abstract

A prototype chemical reaction is examined in both one and two-dimensional continuous-flow microwave reactors, which are unstirred so the effects of diffusion are important. The reaction rate obeys the Arrhenius law and the thermal absorptivity of the reactor contents is assumed to be both temperature- and concentration-dependent. The governing equations consist of coupled reaction-diffusion equations for the temperature and reactant concentration, plus a Helmholtz equation describing the electric-field amplitude in the reactor. The Galerkin method is used to develop a semi-analytical microwave reactor model, which consists of ordinary differential equations. A stability analysis is performed..