Laboratory experiments and modeling for industrial radiotracer applications.

Area of Science:

• Radiochemistry
• Fluid Dynamics
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Accurate measurement of fluid dynamics parameters is crucial in various industrial processes.
• Radiotracers offer a sensitive method for characterizing flow behavior.
• Residence Time Distribution (RTD) and mixing time are key indicators of process efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To utilize Molybdenum-99 (Mo(99)) radiotracer for measuring RTD, mixing time, and flow rate in a laboratory water flow rig.
• To evaluate and select the best mathematical model for RTD analysis.
• To investigate the relationship between mixing time and rotational speed.

Main Methods:

• Three laboratory experiments were conducted using Mo(99) radiotracer.
• RTD data preprocessing involved MATLAB for background, decay, starting point correction, filtering, and extrapolation.
• Six mathematical models were assessed using IAEA RTD software for RTD calculation.
• Mixing time was measured at various rotational speeds.
• Flow rate was directly measured in the water flow rig.

Main Results:

• RTD data was successfully preprocessed and analyzed using optimized mathematical models.
• The model providing the best fit to practical data was selected for RTD calculation.
• Mixing time was found to be inversely proportional to the rotational speed.
• Experimental results demonstrated high reliability of Mo(99) for RTD, mixing time, and flow rate measurements.

Conclusions:

• Mo(99) radiotracer is a reliable tool for characterizing fluid dynamics in a water flow rig.
• Mathematical modeling significantly aids in accurate RTD determination.
• Rotational speed is a critical factor influencing mixing time in the studied system.