Coiled configuration for flow inversion and its effect on residence time distribution

Abstract Flatter velocity profiles and more uniform thermal environents are extremely desirous factors for improved performance in flow reactors and heat exchangers. One means of achieving this in laminar flow systems is to use mixers and flow inverters. These improve performance but at higher initial and operating costs. This paper introduces a new and more effective device for flow inversion which is achieved by changing the direction of centrifugal force in helically‐coiled tubes. Transient response experiments carried out under the conditions of both negligible and significant molecular diffusion reveal drastic narrowing of the residence time distribution (RTD). The effectiveness of the present device can be assessed by the fact that even at a Dean number of 3 the value of dispersion number as low as 0.0013 is obtained under the condition of significant diffusion, and in the case of negligible diffusion the value of dimensionless time at which the first element of tracer appears at the outlet is as high as 0.85.