Dispersion models, mixing

Two alternative approaches are used ia axial mixing calculations. For differential contactors, the axial dispersion model is used, based on an equation analogous to equation 13 ... 

The axial dispersion model also gives a good representation of fluid mixing in paeked-bed reaetors. Figure 8-34 depiets the eorrelation for flow of fluids in paeked beds. 

The two models commonly used for the analysis of processes in which axial mixing is of importance are (1) the series of perfectly mixed stages and (2) the axial-dispersion model. The latter, which will be used in the following, is based on the assumption that a diffusion process in the flow direction is superimposed upon the net flow. This model has been widely used for the analysis of single-phase flow systems, and its use for a continuous phase in a two-phase system appears justified. For a dispersed phase (for example, a bubble phase) in a two-phase system, as discussed by Miyauchi and Vermeulen, the model is applicable if all of the dispersed phase at a given level in a column is at the same concentration. Such will be the case if the bubbles coalesce and break up rapidly. However, the model is probably a useful approximation even if this condition is not fulfilled. It is assumed in the following that the model is applicable for a continuous as well as for a dispersed phase in gas-liquid-particle operations. 

Glaser and Litt (G4) have proposed, in an extension of the above study, a model for gas-liquid flow through a b d of porous particles. The bed is assumed to consist of two basic structures which influence the fluid flow patterns (1) Void channels external to the packing, with which are associated dead-ended pockets that can hold stagnant pools of liquid and (2) pore channels and pockets, i.e., continuous and dead-ended pockets in the interior of the particles. On this basis, a theoretical model of liquid-phase dispersion in mixed-phase flow is developed. The model uses three bed parameters for the description of axial dispersion (1) Dispersion due to the mixing of streams from various channels of different residence times (2) dispersion from axial diffusion in the void channels and (3) dispersion from diffusion into the pores. The model is not applicable to turbulent flow nor to such low flow rates that molecular diffusion is comparable to Taylor diffusion. The latter region is unlikely to be of practical interest. The model predicts that the reciprocal Peclet number should be directly proportional to nominal liquid velocity, a prediction that has been confirmed by a few determinations of residence-time distribution for a wax desulfurization pilot reactor of 1-in. diameter packed with 10-14 mesh particles. 

Many mixing models which utilize the simplified concepts of micro-mixing and segregation have been introduced. Most notable of these are the two-environment models of Chen and Fan (19), Kearns and Manning (20), and others (21, 22), and the dispersion models of Spielman and Levenspiel (23), and Kattan and Adler (24). 

This section has based scaleups on pressure drops and temperature driving forces. Any consideration of mixing, and particularly the closeness of approach to piston flow, has been ignored. Scaleup factors for the extent of mixing in a tubular reactor are discussed in Chapters 8 and 9. If the flow is turbulent and if the Reynolds number increases upon scaleup (as is normal), and if the length-to-diameter ratio does not decrease upon scaleup, then the reactor will approach piston flow more closely upon scaleup. Substantiation for this statement can be found by applying the axial dispersion model discussed in Section 9.3. All the scaleups discussed in Examples 5.10-5.13 should be reasonable from a mixing viewpoint since the scaled-up reactors will approach piston flow more closely. 

Adiabatic Reactors. Like isothermal reactors, adiabatic reactors with a flat velocity profile will have no radial gradients in temperature or composition. There are axial gradients, and the axial dispersion model, including its extension to temperature in Section 9.4, can account for axial mixing. As a practical matter, it is difficult to build a small adiabatic reactor. Wall temperatures must be controlled to simulate the adiabatic temperature profile in the reactor, and guard heaters may be needed at the inlet and outlet to avoid losses by radiation. Even so, it is hkely that uncertainties in the temperature profile will mask the relatively small effects of axial dispersion. 

The axial dispersion model is readily extended to nonisothermal reactors. The turbulent mixing that leads to flat concentration profiles will also give flat temperature profiles. An expression for the axial dispersion of heat can be written in direct analogy to Equation (9.14) ... 

Compare Equation (11.42) with Equation (9.1). The standard model for a two-phase, packed-bed reactor is a PDE that allows for radial dispersion. Most trickle-bed reactors have large diameters and operate adiabaticaUy so that radial gradients do not arise. They are thus governed by ODEs. If a mixing term is required, the axial dispersion model can be used for one or both of the phases. See Equations (11.33) and (11.34). 

We can characterize the mixed systems most easily in terms of the longitudinal dispersion model or in terms of the cascade of stirred tank reactors model. The maximum amount of mixing occurs for the cases where Q)L = oo or n = 1. In general, for reaction orders greater than unity, these models place a lower limit on the conversion that will be obtained in an actual reactor. The applications of these models are treated in Sections 11.2.2 and 11.2.3. 

Dispersion models describe the airborne transport of toxic materials away from the accident site and into the plant and community. After a release the airborne toxic material is carried away by the wind in a characteristic plume, as shown in Figure 5-1, or a puff, as shown in Figure 5-2. The maximum concentration of toxic material occurs at the release point (which may not be at ground level). Concentrations downwind are less, because of turbulent mixing and dispersion of the toxic substance with air. 

Neutrally buoyant dispersion models are used to estimate the concentrations downwind of a release in which the gas is mixed with fresh air to the point that the resulting mixture is neutrally buoyant. Thus these models apply to gases at low concentrations, typically in the parts per million range. 

Liquid-liquid extraction is carried out either (1) in a series of well-mixed vessels or stages (well-mixed tanks or in plate column), or (2) in a continuous process, such as a spray column, packed column, or rotating disk column. If the process model is to be represented with integer variables, as in a staged process, MILNP (Glanz and Stichlmair, 1997) or one of the methods described in Chapters 9 and 10 can be employed. This example focuses on optimization in which the model is composed of two first-order, steady-state differential equations (a plug flow model). A similar treatment can be applied to an axial dispersion model. 

Simpler optimization problems exist in which the process models represent flow through a single pipe, flow in parallel pipes, compressors, heat exchangers, and so on. Other flow optimization problems occur in chemical reactors, for which various types of process models have been proposed for the flow behavior, including well-mixed tanks, tanks with dead space and bypassing, plug flow vessels, dispersion models, and so on. This subject is treated in Chapter 14. 

As explained in Section 4.4.4, there exists an equivalency between tubular dispersion models and stagewise or tank in series models. The stagewise model, used in CHROMPLATE considers the chromatographic column to consist of a large number of well-mixed stirred tanks, arranged in series and thus represents an alternative modelling approach to that of the tubular dispersion model CHROMDIFF. The same two-component separation process is modelled and simulated in both cases. 

Formation of an explosive cloud This step is often done using two computer models. The first is a source emissions model which calculates what happens at the interface between the contained material and the atmosphere into which it is being released. The second is a dispersion model which calculates how the released material disperses and mixes with the air. 

The dispersion model of solids mixing (Kunii and Levenspiel, 1991) is based on Tick s equafion which describes unsfeady-sfafe mass transfer in one dimension. Thus... 

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