Transient kinetic analysis of multipath reactions: An educational module using the IPython software package

• Transient kinetic analysis of multipath catalytic reactions.
• Educational module was developed as a set of IPython notebooks.
• Simulation of transient responses in a tubular catalytic packed-bed reactor.

A large number of industrial catalytic reactions proceeds via multiple pathways. A transient response method has been successfully utilized for the analysis of kinetics and mechanism of multipath reactions. In this paper, we describe an educational module for teaching kinetics of complex heterogeneously-catalyzed reactions based on the software package for simulation of transient responses in a tubular packed-bed reactor. The module includes the reactor model description, derivation and verification of kinetic equations, analysis of steady-state kinetics, numerical simulation of transient responses, and visualization and analysis of results utilizing the developed IPython notebooks. The use of the module helps students to acquire theoretical knowledge as well as the practical and analytical skills related to the kinetic analysis of multipath reactions.