Modeling axial dispersion

For adsorption rate, LeVan considered four models axial dispersion (this is not really a rate model but rather a flow model), external mass transfer, linear driving force approximation (LDF) and reaction kinetics. The purpose of this development was to restore these very compact equations with the variables of Wheeler equation for comparison. 

As shown by Glueckauf [27,28], the effects of the different phenomena contributing to band broadening are additive. Since in this simplified model axial dispersion is neglected and the kinetics of adsorption-desorption is also ignored, the... 

The axial dispersion model has been widely used to characterize the non-ideal mixing behavior in the liquid phase. In this model, axial dispersion coefficient is the single parameter representing the extent of backmixing. The following expression for the axial dispersion coefficient was derived by Kawase and Moo-Young [16] ... 

Examination of the criteria for significant dispersion in fixed bed reactors shows that in practical cases of fixed bed reactor modeling, axial dispersion of mass and heat as well as radial dispersion of mass are negligible, which should be proven by the criteria summarized in Table 4.10.8. Then the mass and heat balance equations (4.10.125) and (4.10.126) simplify to ... 

The dispersion model (axially dispersed plug flow)... 

Solids mixing in fluidized beds is assumed to be described by the dispersion model which is a diffusion-type model. Based on this model, axial dispersion of solids is represented by the differentia equation... 

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 ... 

Breakthrough Behavior for Axial Dispersion Breakthrough behavior for adsorption with axial dispersion in a deep bed is not adequately described by the constant pattern profile for this mechanism. Equation (16-128), the partial different equation of the second order Ficldan model, requires two boundaiy conditions for its solution. The constant pattern pertains to a bed of infinite depth—in obtaining the solution we apply the downstream boundaiy condition cf 0 as oo. Breakthrough behavior presumes the existence of... 

A dense-bed center-fed column (Fig. 22-li) having provision for internal crystal formation and variable reflux was tested by Moyers et al. (op. cit.). In the theoretical development (ibid.) a nonadiabatic, plug-flow axial-dispersion model was employed to describe the performance of the entire column. Terms describing interphase transport of impurity between adhering and free liquid are not considered. 

This model is referred to as the axial dispersed plug flow model or the longitudinal dispersed plug flow model. (Dg)j. ean be negleeted relative to (Dg)[ when the ratio of eolumn diameter to length is very small and the flow is in the turbulent regime. This model is widely used for ehemieal reaetors and other eontaeting deviees. 

Langmuir [18] first proposed the axial dispersion model and obtained steady state solutions from die following boundary eonditions ... 

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. 

Comparison of solutions of the axially dispersed plug flow model for different boundary conditions... 

The axial dispersion plug flow model is used to determine the performanee of a reaetor with non-ideal flow. Consider a steady state reaeting speeies A, under isothermal operation for a system at eonstant density Equation 8-121 reduees to a seeond order differential equation ... 

Both the tank in series (TIS) and the dispersion plug flow (DPF) models require traeer tests for their aeeurate determination. However, the TIS model is relatively simple mathematieally and thus ean be used with any kineties. Also, it ean be extended to any eonfiguration of eompartments witli or without reeycle. The DPF axial dispersion model is eomplex and therefore gives signifieantly different results for different ehoiees of boundary eonditions. 

A breakthrough curve with the nonretained compound was carried out to estimate the axial dispersion in the SMB column. A Peclet number of Pe = 000 was found by comparing experimental and simulated results from a model which includes axial dispersion in the interparticle fluid phase, accumulation in both interparticle and intraparticle fluid phases, and assuming that the average pore concentration is equal to the bulk fluid concentration this assumption is justified by the fact that the ratio of time constant for pore diffusion and space time in the column is of the order of 10. ... 

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 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. 

Dunn et al. (D7) measured axial dispersion in the gas phase in the system referred to in Section V,A,4, using helium as tracer. The data were correlated reasonably well by the random-walk model, and reproducibility was good, characterized by a mean deviation of 10%. The degree of axial mixing increases with both gas flow rate (from 300 to 1100 lb/ft2-hr) and liquid flow rate (from 0 to 11,000 lb/ft2-hr), the following empirical correlations being proposed ... 

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. 

More disagreement exists with respect to axial dispersion—for example, regarding the applicability of the diffusion model, and regarding the influence of gas and liquid flow rates. More work on these aspects and on the influence of fluid distribution and method of packing is required. Some of the available results are compared in Fig. 3. 

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. 

A simple correction to piston fiow is to add an axial diffusion term. The resulting equation remains an ODE and is known as the axial dispersion model ... 

---