Mixing, dispersion coefficient

In Eq. 12.5a-l, u is taken to be the mean (plug flow) velocity through the vessel, and is a mixing-dispersion coefficient to be found from experiments with the system of interest. One important application is to fixed beds, as discussed in detail in Chapter 11, and then it is usually termed an effective transport model, with = Z> . However, the axial dispersion model can also be used to approximately describe a variety of other reactors. 

In turbulent flow, axial mixing is usually described in terms of turbulent diffusion or dispersion coefficients, from which cumulative residence time distribution functions can be computed. Davies (Turbulence Phenomena, Academic, New York, 1972, p. 93), gives Di = l.OlvRe for the longitudinal dispersion coefficient. Levenspiel (Chemical Reaction Engineering, 2d ed., Wiley, New York, 1972, pp. 253-278) discusses the relations among various residence time distribution functions, and the relation between dispersion coefficient and residence time distribution. 

The axial dispersion coefficient [cf. Eq. (16-51)] lumps together all mechanisms leading to axial mixing in packed beds. Thus, the axial dispersion coefficient must account not only for moleciilar diffusion and convec tive mixing but also for nonuniformities in the fluid velocity across the packed bed. As such, the axial dispersion coefficient is best determined experimentally for each specific contac tor. 

Neglecting flow nonuniformities, the contributions of molecular diffusion and turbulent mixing arising from stream sphtting and recombination around the sorbent particles can be considered additive [Langer et al., Int. ]. Heat and Mass Transfer, 21, 751 (1978)] thus, the axial dispersion coefficient is given by ... 

The distribution of tracer molecule residence times in the reactor is the result of molecular diffusion and turbulent mixing if tlie Reynolds number exceeds a critical value. Additionally, a non-uniform velocity profile causes different portions of the tracer to move at different rates, and this results in a spreading of the measured response at the reactor outlet. The dispersion coefficient D (m /sec) represents this result in the tracer cloud. Therefore, a large D indicates a rapid spreading of the tracer curve, a small D indicates slow spreading, and D = 0 means no spreading (hence, plug flow). 

Miyauchi and Vermeulen (M7, M8) have presented a mathematical analysis of the effect upon equipment performance of axial mixing in two-phase continuous flow operations, such as absorption and extraction. Their solutions are based, in one case, upon a simplified diffusion model that assumes a mean axial dispersion coefficient and a mean flow velocity for... 

The dispersion coefficients for the mixed-symmetry component 7 5 which describes the deviation from Kleinman symmetry are for methane more than an order of magnitude smaller than coefficients of the same order in the frequencies for 7. Their varations with basis sets and wavefunction models are, however, of comparable absolute size and give rise to very large relative changes for the mixed-symmetry dispersion coefficients. 

The parameter D is known as the axial dispersion coefficient, and the dimensionless number, Pe = uL/D, is the axial Peclet number. It is different than the Peclet number used in Section 9.1. Also, recall that the tube diameter is denoted by df. At high Reynolds numbers, D depends solely on fluctuating velocities in the axial direction. These fluctuating axial velocities cause mixing by a random process that is conceptually similar to molecular diffusion, except that the fluid elements being mixed are much larger than molecules. The same value for D is used for each component in a multicomponent system. 

The dispersion coefficients can be increased to observe an approach to ideal mixing, and setting them to zero should give the best performance. 

With the carrier stream unsegmented by air bubbles, dispersion results from two processes, convective transport and diffusional transport. The former leads to the formation of a parabolic velocity profile in the direction of the flow. In the latter, radial diffusion is most significant which provides for mixing in directions perpendicular to the flow. The extent of dispersion is characterized by the dispersion coefficient/). 

AV reciprocating tachycardia, 5 108 Axial dispersion coefficient, 10 762 Axial dispersion/mixing, 10 762-763 in adsorption columns, 2 604 in bubble tray absorbers, 2 88-89 chromatographic adsorption, 2 610 in packed column absorbers, 2 61-65 Axial dissolved oxygen profiles, 25 707-708 Axial filtration, 22 385-386 Axial-flow angular-momentum flowmeter, 22 672-673... 

In the intermediate range of Reynolds numbers, the effects of molecular diffusivity and of macroscopic mixing are approximately additive, and the dispersion coefficient is given by an equation of the form ... 

Equation (9.27) defines the so-called axial dispersion coefficient Dax as a model parameter of mixing. Nd is the dispersion flow rate, c the concentration of the tracer mentioned earlier, and S the cross-sectional area of the column. The complete mole flow rate of the tracer consists of an axial convection flow and the axial dispersion flow. The balance of the tracer amount at a cross section of the extractor leads to second-order partial differential equations for both phase flows at steady state. For example, for continuous liquids ... 

Vazquez and Calvelo (1983b) presented a model for the prediction of the minimum residence time in a fluidized bed freezer which can then be equated to the required freezing time. The model is defined in terms of a longitudinal dispersion coefficient D, which is a measure of the degree of solids mixing within the bed in the direction of flow (and has the dimensions of a diffusivity, and hence units of m s ), a dimensionless time T... 

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