Models nonideal flow

In a bubble-column reactor for a gas-liquid reaction, Figure 24.1(e), gas enters the bottom of the vessel, is dispersed as bubbles, and flows upward, countercurrent to the flow of liquid. We assume the gas bubbles are in PF and the liquid is in BMF, although nonideal flow models (Chapter 19) may be used as required. The fluids are not mechanically agitated. The design of the reactor for a specified performance requires, among other things, determination of the height and diameter. 

Evaluation of the Peclet Number as a Parameter in Nonideal Flow Modeling... 

Extend volume calculation to selected nonideal flow models from the ideal combinations listed in Table 16.3 this is optional... 

In formulating and using nonideal reactor models one should keep in mind our overall objective which is to build and operate an ideal reactor. Only ideal reactors are scaleable and their performance predictable. The nonideal flow models and experimental RTD curves are needed to assess deviations from ideality. When these deviations are small, a successful one-or-two parameter model can be constructed to interpret them. When deviations are large, one should concentrate on finding ways to diminish them rather than to interpret them. Multiparameter models are difficult to use and have very little value in scaleup. The exceptions are situations when the variations of some model parameters can be predicted independently based on first principles or based on accumulated experimental evidence. 

The chief weakness of RTD analysis is that from the diagnostic perspective, an RTD study can identify whether the mixing is ideal or nonideal, bnt it is not able to uniquely determine the namre of the nonideality. Many different nonideal flow models can lead to exactly the same tracer response or RTD. The sequence in which a reacting fluid interacts with the nonideal zones in a reactor affects the conversion and yield for all reactions with other than first-order kinetics. This is one limitation of RTD analysis. Another limitation is that RTD analysis is based on the injection of a single tracer feed, whereas real reactors often employ the injection of multiple feed streams. In real reactors the mixing of separate feed streams can have a profound influence on the reaction. A third limitation is that RTD analysis is incapable of providing insight into the nature... 

Leung, J. C. and Epstein, M., A Generalized Critical Flow Model for Nonideal Gases, AIChEJ, 34 (9), 1568-1572, September 1988. 

Different reactor networks can give rise to the same residence time distribution function. For example, a CSTR characterized by a space time Tj followed by a PFR characterized by a space time t2 has an F(t) curve that is identical to that of these two reactors operated in the reverse order. Consequently, the F(t) curve alone is not sufficient, in general, to permit one to determine the conversion in a nonideal reactor. As a result, several mathematical models of reactor performance have been developed to provide estimates of the conversion levels in nonideal reactors. These models vary in their degree of complexity and range of applicability. In this textbook we will confine the discussion to models in which a single parameter is used to characterize the nonideal flow pattern. Multiparameter models have been developed for handling more complex situations (e.g., that which prevails in a fluidized bed reactor), but these are beyond the scope of this textbook. [See Levenspiel (2) and Himmelblau and Bischoff (4).]... 

These two types of deviations occur simultaneously in actual reactors, but the mathematical models we will develop assume that the residence time distribution function may be attributed to one or the other of these flow situations. The first class of nonideal flow conditions leads to the segregated flow model of reactor performance. This model may be used... 

ILLUSTRATION 11.6 USE OF THE DISPERSION MODEL TO DETERMINE THE CONVERSION LEVEL OBTAINED IN A NONIDEAL FLOW REACTOR... 

Ideal flow is introduced in Chapter 2 in connection with the investigation of kinetics in certain types of ideal reactor models, and in Chapter 11 in connection with chemical reactors as a contrast to nonideal flow. As its name implies, ideal flow is a model of flow which, in one of its various forms, may be closely approached, but is not actually achieved. In Chapter 2, three forms are described backmix flow (BMF), plug flow (PF), and laminar flow (LF). 

Equation 13.5-2 is the segregated-flow model (SFM) with a continuous RTD, E(t). To what extent does it give valid results for the performance of a reactor To answer this question, we apply it first to ideal-reactor models (Chapters 14 to 16), for which we have derived the exact form of E(t), and for which exact performance results can be compared with those obtained independently by material balances. The utility of the SFM lies eventually in its potential use in situations involving nonideal flow, wheic results cannot be predicted a priori, in conjunction with an experimentally measured RTD (Chapters 19 and 20) in this case, confirmation must be done by comparison with experimental results. 

We first describe features of nonideal flow qualitatively, and then in terms of mixing aspects. For the rest of the chapter, we concentrate on its characterization in terms of RTD. This involves (1) description of the experimental measurement of RTD functions (.E, F, IF), and development of techniques for characterizing nonideal flow and (2) introduction of two simple models for nonideal flow that can account for departures from ideal flow. 

A mathematical model for nonideal flow in a vessel provides a characterization of the mixing and flow behavior. Although it may appear to be an independent alternative to the experimental measurement of RTD, the latter may be required to determine the parameters) of the model. The ultimate importance of such a model for our purpose is that it may be used to assess the performance of the vessel as a reactor (Chapter 20). 

This diffusive flow must be taken into account in the derivation of the material-balance or continuity equation in terms of A. The result is the axial dispersion or dispersed plug flow (DPF) model for nonideal flow. It is a single-parameter model, the parameter being DL or its equivalent as a dimensionless parameter. It was originally developed to describe relatively small departures from PF in pipes and packed beds, that is, for relatively small amounts of backmixing, but, in principle, can be used for any degree of backmixing. 

The TIS and DPF models, introduced in Chapter 19 to describe the residence time distribution (RTD) for nonideal flow, can be adapted as reactor models, once the single parameters of the models, N and Pe, (or DL), respectively, are known. As such, these are macromixing models and are unable to account for nonideal mixing behavior at the microscopic level. For example, the TIS model is based on the assumption that complete backmixing occurs within each tank. If this is not the case, as, perhaps, in a polymerization reaction that produces a viscous product, the model is incomplete. 

The tanks-in-series (TIS) model for a reactor with nonideal flow uses the ITS flow model described in Section 19.4.1 and illustrated in Figure 19.11. The substance A is now a reacting species (e.g., A - products) instead of a tracer. 

In this section, we apply the axial dispersion flow model (or DPF model) of Section 19.4.2 to design or assess the performance of a reactor with nonideal flow. We consider, for example, the effect of axial dispersion on the concentration profile of a species, or its fractional conversion at the reactor outlet. For simplicity, we assume steady-state, isothermal operation for a simple system of constant density reacting according to A - products. 

However, any kinetics may be inserted as required. The RTD function E(t) may be known either from a flow model (ideal or nonideal) or from experimental tracer data. 

In the quantitative development in Section 24.4 below, we assume the flow to be ideal, but more elaborate models are available for nonideal flow (Chapter 19 see also Kastanek et al., 1993, Chapter 5). Examples of types of tower reactors are illustrated schematically in Figure 24.1, and are discussed more fully below. An important consideration for the efficiency of gas-liquid contact is whether one phase (gas or liquid) is dispersed in the other as a continuous phase, or whether both phases are continuous. This is related to, and may be determined by, features of the overall reaction kinetics, such as rate-determining characteristics of mass transfer and intrinsic reaction. 

Our treatment of Chemical Reaction Engineering begins in Chapters 1 and 2 and continues in Chapters 11-24. After an introduction (Chapter 11) surveying the field, the next five Chapters (12-16) are devoted to performance and design characteristics of four ideal reactor models (batch, CSTR, plug-flow, and laminar-flow), and to the characteristics of various types of ideal flow involved in continuous-flow reactors. Chapter 17 deals with comparisons and combinations of ideal reactors. Chapter 18 deals with ideal reactors for complex (multireaction) systems. Chapters 19 and 20 treat nonideal flow and reactor considerations taking this into account. Chapters 21-24 provide an introduction to reactors for multiphase systems, including fixed-bed catalytic reactors, fluidized-bed reactors, and reactors for gas-solid and gas-liquid reactions. 

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