Analysis of dead-core formation in catalytic reaction and diffusion processes with generalized diffusion flux
Abstract Dead-core and non-dead-core solutions to the nonlinear diffusion–reaction equation based on the generalized diffusion flux with gradient-dependent diffusivity and the power-law reaction kinetics in catalyst slabs are established. The formation of dead zones where the reactant concentration...
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2022-12-01
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Series: | Scientific Reports |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26786-8 |
Summary: | Abstract Dead-core and non-dead-core solutions to the nonlinear diffusion–reaction equation based on the generalized diffusion flux with gradient-dependent diffusivity and the power-law reaction kinetics in catalyst slabs are established. The formation of dead zones where the reactant concentration vanishes is characterized by the critical Thiele modulus that is derived as a function of reaction order and diffusion exponent in the generalized diffusion flux. The effects of reaction order and diffusion exponent on the reactant concentration distribution in the slab and dead-zone length are analyzed. It is particularly demonstrated that by contrast to the model based on the standard Fick’s diffusion, dead-core solutions exist in the case of first-order reactions. Also, the relationship between critical Thiele moduli for models based on the generalized and standard Fick’s diffusion fluxes is established. |
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ISSN: | 2045-2322 |