WAVE MODEL FOR LONGITUDINAL DISPERSION - APPLICATION TO THE LAMINAR-FLOW TUBULAR REACTOR

The wave model for longitudinal dispersion, published elsewhere as an alternative to the commonly used dispersed plug-flow model, is applied to the classic case of the laminar-flow tubular reactor. The results are compared in a wide range of situations to predictions by the dispe rsed plug-flow model as well as to exact numerical calculations with t he 2-D model of the reactor and to other available methods. lit many p ractical cases, the solutions of the wave model agree closely with the exact data. The wave model has a much wider region of validity than t he dispersed plug-flow model, has a distinct physical background, and is easier to use for reactor calculations. This provides additional su pport to the theory developed elsewhere. The properties and the applic ability of the wave model to situations with rapidly changing concentr ation fields are discussed. Constraints to be satisfied are establishe d to use the new theory with confidence for arbitrary initial and boun dary conditions.