Analog computers and kinetics of hydrogenation

Investigations of the kinetics of consecutive reactions frequently require complicated calculations to determine specific reaction rate constants from experimental data. Analog computers permit a convenient empirical adjustment of rate constants in kinetic equations to match experimental results. Once an electronic network analogous to the chemical reaction system is set up, specific reaction rates can be determined by adjusting potentiometers, which are the analogs of the rate constants, until an acceptable fit of calculated and experimental data is reached. Applicability of a small analog computer to the kinetics of hydrogenation is presented.