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Stochastic fluctuations of residence time distributions in a tubular polymerization reactor

The fluid dynamics of a tubular polymerization reactor is evaluated by tracer perturbation. The residence time distribution (F(t)) obtained experimentally seems to be governed by stochastic phenomena, since F(t) oscillations that cannot be explained by experimental errors are observed around the value 1. In order to explain the oscillatory behavior of F(t), a stochastic model was proposed. The model depends on three distinct parameters: the thickness of the stagnant layer placed near the reactor walls (1-j); the characteristic time interval of the random fluctuations, Dt; and the maximum flow velocity of the stagnant layer, vm2. It is shown that the stochastic model represents the experimental data quite well and that similar parameters can be used to describe the results observed in all experiments.

Stochastic model; residence time distribution; tubular reactor; polymerization


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