Modelling of a dynamic multiphase flash: the positive flash. Application to the calculation of ternary diagrams

A general and polyvalent model for the dynamic simulation of a vapor, liquid, liquid-liquid, vapor-liquid or vapor-liquid-liquid stage is proposed. This model is based on the -method introduced as a minimization problem by Han & Rangaiah (1998) for steady-state simulation. They suggested modifying the mole fraction summation such that the same set of governing equations becomes valid for all phase regions. Thanks to judicious additional switch equations, the -formulation is extended to dynamic simulation and the minimization problem is transformed into a set of differential algebraic equations (DAE). Validation of the model consists in testing its capacity to overcome phase number changes and to be able to solve several problems with the same set of equations: calculation of heterogeneous residue curves, azeotropic points and distillation boundaries in ternary diagrams

Time evolution of a small reactive system

We investigate the irreversible evolution of a small system in which a chemical reaction takes place. We have two main goals: the first requires to find an equation to produce a time-irreversible behavior,the second consists in introducing a simple exactly solvable model in order to understand basic facts in chemical kinetics. Our basic tool is the transition function counting the number of paths joining two points in the reactive coordinates system. An exact quantum Smoluchowski equation is derived for the reactive system in vacuum, in the presence of a solvent in equilibrium at any time with the reactive system a new Smoluchowski equation is obtained. The transition from a quantum regime to a classical one is discussed. The case of a reactive system not in equilibrium with its neighborhood is investigated in terms of path integral and via a partial differential function. Memory effects and closure assumptions are discussed. Using a simple potential model, the chemical rate constant is exactly calculated and questions such as the meaning of the activation energy or the physical content of the so-called prefactor are investigated.Comment: 13 page

Exploring, tailoring, and traversing the solution landscape of a phase-shaped CARS process

Pulse shaping techniques are used to improve the selectivity of broadband CARS experiments, and to reject the overwhelming background. Knowledge about the fitness landscape and the capability of tailoring it is crucial for both fundamental insight and performing an efficient optimization of phase shapes. We use an evolutionary algorithm to find the optimal spectral phase of the broadband pump and probe beams in a background-suppressed shaped CARS process. We then investigate the shapes, symmetries, and topologies of the landscape contour lines around the optimal solution and also around the point corresponding to zero phase. We demonstrate the significance of the employed phase bases in achieving convex contour lines, suppressed local optima, and high optimization fitness with a few (and even a single) optimization parameter