Reactor behavior and its relation to chemical reaction network structure
Daniel William Knight · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · 2015
It is often the case that there is limited information detailing the kinetics of a chemical reaction network.It is our goal to be able to predict which reaction networks might exhibit interesting dynamic behavior and those that cannot, for the assignment of any kinetics, at least within a large, general class.Results given here state that a reaction network is limited to relatively dull dynamic behavior so long as certain structural conditions are satisfied by the network's Species-Reaction Graph, a pictorial representation of the network not unlike those found in biology.The success of this work was made possible by the support of many people.Starting my graduate studies would have been much more difficult without the guidance and support of Yongjia Fan.In particular, the experimental work performed as a tangent of this thesis could not have been done without the prior efforts of both Doctors Fan and Yangzhong Tang.I am sincerely appreciative of and indebted to the experimental guidance given by Professor David Wood, who shared a wealth of knowledge regarding bioengineering systems.My understanding of the foundations of chemical reaction network theory and its implementation in the Chemical Reaction Network Toolbox are a result of discussions with Dr. Haixia Ji, who also introduced me to Delphi, in which the toolbox is programmed.This work would not be possible without the advice, counsel, and patient criticism (in particular, in writing this dissertation) of Professor Martin Feinberg.Over these years, he has aided my growth as a researcher, mathematician, writer, and ultimately, as a person.My heartfelt thanks go out to his guidance during this time, which will aid me in the years to come.Lastly, but far from least, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of my family and friends.At any point when success seemed