RTD Modeling of a Non-Ideal Coiled-Tube Reactor Through Experimental Investigation for Pulse Input Using Methylene Blue Dye

Abstract

This paper focuses on the grasp of a deep understanding of flow behavior in a coiled tube reactor through Residence Time Distribution (RTD) studies. The reactors, in general, are classified ideally: mixed and plug-flow patterns. Unfortunately, in the real world, it has been observed that they show very different behavior from that expected. Thus, the characterization of the nonideal coiled tube reactor is needed to carry out. The calculations were carried out in the Matlab for distribution of residence time of the coiled tube reactor that is used in the Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory at MIET College. Pulse input tests were used significantly to analyzed the flow behavior using methylene blue (MB) tracer. A significant disparity in RTD curves in the presence of the secondary flow was examined and data were recorded. Finally, a suitable mathematical model was selected from the Tank in Series (TIS) and Axial Dispersion Models (ADMs) based on residual error and was used to validate these outcomes. The deconvoluted of the signal was used to get Cin for the verification of the pulse input behavior. The results were compared with the experimental data that concluded the modeling of the reactor is in good agreement.