ON AXIAL-DISPERSION IN PACKED-BEDS WITH FLUID-FLOW

In the present work a theoretical analysis of the dependence between the axial dispersion of mass and the flow nonuniformity in packed beds is given. Three types of flow nonuniformity are defined: micro-, meso- and macroscopical. In order to describe the influence of microscopical flow nonuniformity on axial dispersion in packed beds the flow channels are approximated by equal-sized cylindrical capillaries. A step function is used for the velocity profile and the fluid in the outer region of each capillary is assumed to be stagnant. The relationship derived in this manner can describe most results of tracer experiments well; above all, it helps in understanding the differences observed between dispersion of gases and dispersion of liquids. Anomalously high dispersion coefficients, obtained during dispersion of gases through beds of fine-grained particles, are attributed to the mesoscopical flow nonuniformity and are described in a model. Finally, the dependence between macroscopical flow nonuniformity and axial dispersion in packed beds is discussed.