Chapter 1. Residence Time Distributions
- Edward L. Paul2,
- Victor A. Atiemo-Obeng3,
- Suzanne M. Kresta4
Published Online: 30 JAN 2004
DOI: 10.1002/0471451452.ch1
Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Book Title
Handbook of Industrial Mixing: Science and Practice
Additional Information
How to Cite
Nauman, E. B. (2004) Residence Time Distributions, in Handbook of Industrial Mixing: Science and Practice (eds E. L. Paul, V. A. Atiemo-Obeng and S. M. Kresta), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA. doi: 10.1002/0471451452.ch1
Editor Information
- 2
Merck & Co., Inc. (retired); 308 Brooklyn Boulevard, Sea Girt, NJ 08750, USA
- 3
The Dow Chemical Company, Building 1776, Midland, MI 48674, USA
- 4
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G6
Publication History
- Published Online: 30 JAN 2004
- Published Print: 14 NOV 2003
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780471269199
Online ISBN: 9780471451457
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- continuous flow;
- residence time;
- washout;
- segregation;
- maximum mixedness;
- micromixing;
- exponential distribution;
- delta distribution;
- first appearance;
- recycle;
- bypassing;
- stagnancy;
- tracer;
- computational fluid dynamics
Summary
The residence time distribution (RTD) characterizes mixing between molecules that entered a continuous flow system at different times. It is measured using inert tracers or predicted using dynamic models. The RTD uniquely predicts the yield of a isothermal, homogeneous, first order reaction and imposes bounds on the yield of other reaction orders. RTD theory encompasses the concept of micromixing with its extremes of complete segregation and maximum mixedness. Experimental measurements allow estimates of the active volume in a flow system and can diagnose flow pathologies such as bypassing and stagnancy. RTD measurements also provide an independent means for validating results from computational fluid dynamics.