Optimal operation of a variable‐volume stirred tank reactor

For certain classes of chemical reactions, it is possible to increase the yield of the desired products by choosing appropriate variable‐volume operating policies. An analysis of the steady state and semibatch operation of a stirred tank reactor demonstrates operating policies for both the isothermal and adiabatic case to maximize the steady state yield and to produce an improved semibatch yield. Computations carried out by using an analogue computer with a digital logic expansion system demonstrate further relationships between yield increase and operating policy.