Kinetic theory and thermodynamics of reaction networks are extended to the
out-of-equilibrium dynamics of continuous-flow stirred tank reactors (CSTR) and
serial transfers. On the basis of their stoichiometry matrix, the conservation
laws and the cycles of the network are determined for both dynamics. It is
shown that the CSTR and serial transfer dynamics are equivalent in the limit
where the time interval between the transfers tends to zero proportionally to
the ratio of the fractions of fresh to transferred solutions. These results are
illustrated with finite cross-catalytic reaction network and an infinite
reaction network describing mass exchange between polymers. Serial transfer
dynamics is typically used in molecular evolution experiments in the context of
research on the origins of life. The present study is shedding a new light on
the role played by serial transfer parameters in these experiments.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure