Which condition results from a sudden increase in the forward rate constant in an exothermic chemical reactor?

💡 Explanation

When the forward rate constant increases sharply, the exothermic reaction accelerates due to the Arrhenius equation, generating heat faster than it can dissipate which escalates internal temperature until a thermal runaway condition. Therefore runaway and possible explosion results, rather than increased selectivity, lower pressure, or catalyst poisoning, which require drastically different conditions.

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