Optimization of parallel reactions in a tubular reactor by feed distribution

The System of isothermal, isobaric, perfect gas reactions with stoichiometric kinetics taking place in a tubular reactor is considered where A₃ is desired and A₅ undesired. A class of optimum selectivity problems is formulated, and distributed bypass of A₁ is investigated. It is shown that there are cases where the performance of the best plug flow reactor can be improved substantially (sometimes by more than 100%) by the bypass of A₁, but there are also cases where bypass is fruitless.