The iron(III)-catalyzed oxidation of ethanol by hydrogen peroxide: A thermokinetic oscillator

We present an experimental and theoretical study of a laboratory scale continuous flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in which the exothermic iron(III)-nitrate-catalyzed oxidation of ethanol with hydrogen peroxide to ethanal and acetic acid takes place. This reaction can display temperature and concentration oscillations when it is performed in a CSTR. A model is known in the literature, which is derived from a more detailed mechanism. We investigate the behavior of the system under different conditions using the volumetric flow of the cooling water as an experimental bifurcation parameter. The model is analyzed by one and two parameter continuation of stationary and periodic solutions. We characterize period doubling sequences to chaos, homoclinic orbits, and cross-shaped diagrams, which separate regions of oscillations and bistability.