Chemical reactor theory and problems in diffusion (Q1118498)

This paper gives a brief survey on one aspect of the mathematical theory of chemical reactions. Some selected results and new problems involving the classical and nonclassical reaction diffusion equations are presented. The classical chemical reactor theory describing the temperature and the concentrations of the reactants is reviewed and some generalizations of the standard reaction-diffusion equations are included in the discussion. Of particular concern is the bifurcation of steady- state solutions, including the well-known S-shape theory. The nonclassical reaction diffusion involves some more recent diffusion phenomena which arises in several contexts. In these problems, the diffusion processes do not follow the classical Fick's law. Some examples are given in the fields of statistical mechanics and certain alloys in the theory of metallurgy. Phenomenological arguments lead also to non- Fickian diffusion in some theories of crystal faceting, magmatic flow and sedimentation. Various problems involving these new equations are observed and some of them are discussed in the paper.