Experimental residence time distribution measurements for unsteady flow in a baffled channel

Abstract-Preliminary experimental measurements are reported on residence time distributions obtained for unsteady flows in a baffled tube. A single baffled tube geometry is examined with a fixed net flow through the tube. An oscillatory motion is then superimposed and it is found fluid oscillations can have a significant effect on the systems residence time distribution. Conditions have been found where the device can operate in a near plug flow mode, and in this situation flow visualisation observations show that efficient radial and axial eddy mixing has been achieved. Results are presented in terms of dimensionless residence time distributions and a single-parameter axial dispersion coefficient