Introduction to Principles of Similarity and a Historic Perspective

Design of Multiphase Reactors, First Edition. Vishwas Govind Pangarkar. 

A large number of texts discuss the concept of similarity as applied to scale-up. The earliest unified approach to the application of concept of similarity in chemical process equipments was propounded by Johnstone and Thring (1957). The concept of dimensional analysis based similarity has become apart of all standard chemical engineering texts. Astarita (1985) has presented a lucid exposition of the subject matter. A recent book covering various aspects of dimensional analysis and scale-up in chemical engineering by Zlokamik (2002) is recommended for more detailed information. 

The principle of similarity was first enunciated by Newton for systems composed of solids in motion. It is concerned with the relations between physical systems of different sizes. For chemical engineers, the added dimension of chemically reacting systems is of great importance. 

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