Flow patterns step tracer input

Understanding Reactor Flow Patterns As discussed above, a RTD obtained using a nonreactive tracer may not uniquely represent the flow behavior within a reactor. For diagnostic and simulation purposes, however, tracer results may be explained by combining the expected tracer responses of ideal reactors combined in series, in parallel, or both, to provide an RTD that matches the observed reactor response. The most commonly used ideal models for matching an actual RTD are PRF and CSTR models. Figure 19-9 illustrates the responses of CSTRs and PFRs to impulse or step inputs of tracers. 

The flow patterns in a reactor are to be investigated by determining the residencetime distribution. Below are the results obtained for the concentration of tracer in the eflluent after introduction of a step function input at a concentration of 0.05 M. 

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