| Abstract: | Wave propagation phenomena in chemical engineering processes. A phenomenological analysis of the dynamics of a number of different distributed parameter systems in chemical engineering reveals a surprisingly simple dynamic behaviour despite the complexity of the underlying nonlinear process models. Spatial structures or waves are propagating along a spatial coordinate during transients. The dynamics of most of the processes under consideration can be described with sufficient accuracy by three different model structures. These models serve as a basis for a theoretical system analysis. The investigation of characteristic properties of the propagating waves and the mechanisms responsible for wave formation are of central significance. Finally, it is shown how the extended knowledge about the processes may be applied for the solution of problems of technical interest. |
