Date of Last Revision

2023-05-03 04:56:54

Major

Chemical Engineering - Cooperative Education

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2018

Abstract

Two different mathematical models were investigated for their use in describing the residence time distribution (RTD) of an industrial mixer. The first model investigated was the tanks-in-series model, while the second model was a combination of two branches of tanks-in-series. The tanks-in-series model is capable of characterizing the mixing present in the flow, but cannot detect non-idealities in flow such as bypassing and dead space. The multi-branch model has mathematical complexity, but it uses the second branch of flow to detect the presence of this non-ideal flow, determine if it is dead space of bypassing, and characterize how well-mixed the non-ideal flow is. The pulse method was used to test the mixer’s RTD, and the model parameters were determined through a combination of fitting with an iterative solver and directly solving model equations. The main goal of this work was to determine if the multi-branch model increased knowledge of fluid flow enough to balance out the increased mathematical complexity. The multi-branch fit the RTD curve with consistently lower error, and increase flow knowledge by detecting bypassing in the mixer. This study concluded that the model has practical value in characterizing level of mixing and non-ideal flow in the mixer.

Research Sponsor

Bi-Min Zhang Newby

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.