Abstract
A model of the chlorine dioxide—iodide reaction in a single well-stirred flow-through reactor is analyzed.
The model includes a flow regulation mechanism that allows the concentration of iodide in the system to
control the flow rate. The control is accomplished through a computer-mediated sigmoidal dependence of
the dynamic flow rate on the iodide concentration. The dynamical behavior of this system with slow regulation is investigated by the numerical continuation technique. Oscillatory behavior is obtained for parameter values that produce only steady state behavior in the unregulated system. Chaos and bursting also arise as a result of the control mechanism. Responses of the model to changes in input iodide concentration show the ability of the system to adjust to new conditions. Two different transient patterns of adjustment are observed depending on the direction of the change in iodide input concentration. The control mechanism mimics a similar system thought to control activity in biological neurons and may be of practical value.