Attainable region theory

AR theory is a method to help define the best reactor flowsheet using graphical techniques for a desired duty or objective function.

[1][2] The initial concept of an attainable region for chemical processes was proposed by Fritz Horn in 1964, where he believed in geometric methods to improve process design.

[3] These ideas were later refined and made specific to chemical reactors by co-developers David Glasser, Diane Hildebrandt,[4] and Martin Feinberg.

[3] The AR is defined as the collection all possible outcomes for all conceivable reactor combinations.

[5] Geometrically, the AR may (for instance) be represented as a convex region in state space representing all possible outlet compositions for all reactor combinations.