Critical limits in Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction system

Abstract

It has been reported that in Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction systems having mixed organic substrate, upper and lower limits of acetone concentration exist between which oscillations occur and beyond which the system is stable. Computer calculations based on the mechanism for bromine-hydrolysis-controlled oscillators as proposed by Field and Boyd show the existence of such limits and the quantitative agreement with experiment is satisfactory. Numerical simulations also predict revival of oscillations by BrO⁻₃ at the upper limits as is observed experimentally. Further, an experimentally observed lower limit of [BrO⁻₃] is also predicted by computer calculations. The conclusions are identical when Field-Boyd (FB) values of Field-Försterling (FF) values of the parameters are used. A seven-variable version of the above model has been also used to simulate conditions for a batch reactor. Here again, the conclusions are similar when FB or FF values are used.