Ideal flows, deviation from bypassing

Computer Models, The actual residence time for waste destmction can be quite different from the superficial value calculated by dividing the chamber volume by the volumetric flow rate. The large activation energies for chemical reaction, and the sensitivity of reaction rates to oxidant concentration, mean that the presence of cold spots or oxidant deficient zones render such subvolumes ineffective. Poor flow patterns, ie, dead zones and bypassing, can also contribute to loss of effective volume. The tools of computational fluid dynamics (qv) are useful in assessing the extent to which the actual profiles of velocity, temperature, and oxidant concentration deviate from the ideal (40). 

Fig. 3-4 Deviations from ideal tubular-flow performance (a) longitudinal mixing due to vortices and turbulence, (b) laminar-flow (poor radial mixing), (c) bypassing in fixed-bed catalytic reactor...

Most actual reactors deviate from these idealized systems primarily because of nonuniform velocity profiles, channeling and bypassing of fluids, and the presence of stagnant regions caused by reactor shape and internal components such as baffles, heat-transfer coils, and measurement probes. Disruptions to the flow path are common when dealing with heterogeneous systems, particularly when solids are present. To model these actual reactors, various regions are compartmentalized and... 

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