Stirring sense discriminates between stationary and oscillatory states

The bifurcation behavior of the minimal bromate system (BrO3−/Br−/Ce3+/H2SO4) in a flow reactor shows a wider oscillatory region if the symmetric stirrer rotates in one direction than if the stirring direction is reversed. Thus, at appropriate flow rates, a reversal in the direction of stirring causes a transition between an oscillatory and a steady state. This phenomenon can be explained by a change in the mixing order of the feedstreams.