Module 3: The Dispersion Model

The Dispersion Model

The dispersion model is used to describe nonideal tubular reactors. In this model, there
is an axial dispersion of the material, which is governed by an analogy to Ficks law of
diffusion, superimposed on the flow. So in addition to transport by bulk flow, UAcC,
every component in the mixture is transported through any cross section of the reactor
at a rate equal to [ Da Ac (dC / dz )] resulting from molecular and convective diffusion.
By convection diffusion we mean either Aris-Taylor dispersion in laminar flow reactors
or turbulent diffusion resulting from turbulent eddies.
This model applies to turbulent flow in pipes, laminar flow in long tubes, packed
beds, shaft kilns, long channels, etc.
For laminar flow in short tubes or laminar flow of viscous materials these models
may not apply, and it may be that the parabolic velocity profile is the main cause of
deviation from plug flow.
To illustrate how dispersion affects the concentration profile in a tubular rector, we
consider the injection of a perfect tracer pulse. Figure 1 shows how dispersion causes
the pulse to broaden as it moves down the reactor and becomes less concentrated.

Figure 1. Dispersion in a tubular reactor.

To characterize the spreading we assume a diffusion-like process superimposed

on plug flow. We call this dispersion or longitudinal dispersion to distinguish it from
molecular diffusion. The dispersion coefficient D (m2/s) represents this spreading
process. Thus
z Large D means rapid spreading of the tracer curve
z Small D means slow spreading
z D = 0 means no spreading hence plug flow

Module 3: The Dispersion Model

Also

1 D
=

Pe UL
is the dimensionaless group characterizing the spreading rate for the vessel.
We evaluate D or D/UL by recording the shape of the tracer curve as it passes the
exit of the vessel. In particular, we measure
t = mean time of passage, or when the curve passes by,

2 = variance, or [how long]2 it takes for the curve to pass by.

Dispersion number
D/UL
D/UL < 0.01
(Small deviation
from plug flow)
D/UL > 0.01
(Large deviation
from plug flow)

Dispersion Coefficient

2 =

2
D
= 2

Pe
UL

Closed vessel
(for packed and open tube
reactors)
D D
= 2 2
UL UL
2

UL

1 e D

Open vessel
(for coiled tubular reactors)
D D
= 2 + 8
UL UL
2