RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION FOR LAMINAR FLOW IN HELICALLY COILED TUBES

Abstract

The results of an experimental investigation of the RTD in the low Reynolds number, low Dean number region for helical coils under the conditions of negligible molecular diffusion are reported. It is shown that, when the flow pattern is fully developed and in the range of low values of Reynolds number and Dean number residence time distribution approximately becomes independent of them. The results could be used to predict conversions of reactions in a coiled reactor, such as continuous polymerization or fermentation reactors, where the reaction mixtures are likely to behave as Newtonian fluids. Results will be also useful in characterization of coiled chromatographic columns. An empirical expression is obtained for taking into account the weak influence of curvature ratio on narrowing the RTD. The conditions of applicability are considered and new constants are evaluated for the system.