RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION ENHANCEMENT IN REACTORS USING OSCILLATORYFLOW

In this paper the published and ongoing research concerning oscillator y flow in baffled tubes is reviewed. A number of key features are iden tified. Using this technology it is possible to achieve a near plug fl ow behaviour and a long residence time with a relatively short tubular reactor. Oscillatory flow in baffled tubes has been shown to enhance process engineering properties such as mixing, heat transfer and gas-l iquid mass transfer. The technology is well suited to multi-phase syst em. Furthermore, it is possible to control the performance of the devi ce independently from the throughput using the amplitude and frequency of oscillation. A number of potential applications are identified for evaluation.