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Dispersion and uptake in a coiled tube
S R Kaye1, P Kavafyan, R C Schroter
1Centre for Biological and Medical Systems, Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, London.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Tracer dispersion in a coiled tube is dominated by gas absorption and desorption at the wet gelatine wall. High tracer solubility reduces the impact of secondary flows on dispersion, confirming prior findings.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Mass transfer
- Chemical engineering
Background:
- Tracer dispersion is crucial for understanding transport phenomena in various systems.
- Secondary flows can significantly influence dispersion patterns in non-straight geometries.
- Solubility of tracers at interfaces affects their transport behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dispersion characteristics of a highly soluble tracer gas in a coiled tube.
- To determine the dominant mechanisms of tracer dispersion in this geometry.
- To assess the role of secondary flows and wall interactions on dispersion.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of tracer gas dispersion.
- Utilized a coiled tube lined with wet gelatine.
- Focused on a highly soluble tracer gas.
Main Results:
- Absorption and desorption of the tracer gas at the wet gelatine wall were identified as the dominant factors in tracer dispersion.
- The influence of secondary flows on dispersion was found to be reduced when the tracer gas exhibited high solubility in the wall material.
- Results align with previous findings in branching geometries.
Conclusions:
- Wall absorption and desorption are key to understanding tracer dispersion in coiled tubes with soluble tracers.
- The impact of secondary flows on dispersion is diminished by high tracer solubility, irrespective of geometry.
- This study provides insights into mass transfer and fluid dynamics in confined, non-ideal systems.