Optimal control of tubular reactors. Part I. Computational considerations

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Abstract
The necessary conditions for optimization of a system governed by a nonlinear vector first‐order partial differential equation with two (space and time) independent variables, such as governs the unsteady behavior of tubular flow reactors, are derived. Rather general objective functionals and boundary conditions, such as the recycle of unconverted reactant with an appropriate time delay for separation and a free choice of final time, are allowed. A gradient technique in control space is formulated, and it is shown that distinct computational advantages can accrue from the use of the method of characteristics.