Multiple steady states in an isothermal, integral reactor: The catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide over platinum‐alumina

Stable isothermal multiplicities were observed during carbon monoxide oxidation in an integral reactor, filled with alumina supported platinum catalysts. The multiplicities were investigated in the conversion‐temperature, conversion‐inlet carbon monoxide concentration and conversion‐mass flow rate domains. The region of multiplicities was found to widen significantly upon catalyst aging which enhanced the pellets' diffusive resistances. Several intermediate stable steady states were found between the highest and lowest steady states, both experimentally and theoretically. All the above phenomena could be well interpreted by the interactions of the kinetics of carbon monoxide oxidation with intrapellet diffusion resistances.