Optimization of the Solution of a Dispersion Model

Abstract

The study of the combination of chemical kinetics with transport phenomena is the main step for reactor design. It is possible to deviate from the model behaviour, the cause of which may be fluid channelling, fluid recirculation, or creation of stagnant regions in the vessel, by using a dispersion model. In this paper, the known general solution of the dispersion model for closed vessels is given in a new, straightforward form. In order to improve the classical theoretical solution, a hybrid of analytical and numerical methods is used. It is based on the general analytic solution and the least-squares method by fitting the results of a tracer test carried out on the vessel with the values of the analytic solution. Thus, the accuracy of the estimation for the vessel dispersion number is increased. The presented method can be used to similar problems modelled by a partial differential equation and some boundary conditions which are not sufficient to ensure the uniqueness of the solution.