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Modelling of dispersion and dead space in an air chamber
Author(s) -
Fan L. T.,
Pereira N. C.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450520220
Subject(s) - dimensionless quantity , péclet number , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , dispersion (optics) , tracer , volume (thermodynamics) , dead zone , physics , geometry , mathematics , geology , thermodynamics , optics , oceanography , nuclear physics
A combined model consisting of an active region and a stagnant region is used in representing the air flow characteristics in a continuous flow system. The active region is represented by the one dimensional axial dispersion model while the stagnant region is considered to be a dead volume having no fluid interchange with the active region. The mathematical model is fitted to experimental data obtained by subjecting the system to tracer step inputs. In the process of model fitting a dimensionless parameter of Pe. (Peclet number of the active region) is estimated. The effects of the internal geometry and structure of the flow system on the flow patterns are analyzed and substantiated by experimental data. Two possible mechanisms explaining the formation of stagnant regions have been proposed — that of reduced length, and that of reduced cross‐section. For the present investigation, the reduced length mechanism is found to explain the experimental data better.