Catalytic membrane reactor model as a laboratory for pattern emergence in reaction-diffusion-advection media

TL;DR

This paper reviews how a catalytic membrane reactor model demonstrates complex pattern formation, including nonlinear waves and stationary states, influenced by boundary conditions in reaction-diffusion-advection systems.

Contribution

It introduces a membrane reactor as a case model to explore pattern emergence and stability in reaction-diffusion-advection media, highlighting the role of boundary conditions.

Findings

Coexistence of nonlinear traveling waves and stationary states

Boundary conditions influence the stability and pattern selection

Rich pattern dynamics observed in the membrane reactor model

Abstract

Reaction-diffusion-advection media on semi-infinite domains are important in chemical, biological and ecological applications, yet remain a challenge for pattern formation theory. To demonstrate the rich emergence of nonlinear traveling waves and stationary periodic states, we review results obtained using a membrane reactor as a case model. Such solutions coexist in overlapping parameter regimes and their temporal stability is determined by the boundary conditions (periodic vs. mixed) which either preserve or destroy the translational symmetry, i.e., selection mechanisms under realistic Danckwerts boundary conditions. A brief outlook is given at the end.