Measurement of Residence Time Distribution of Fluid and Particles in Turbulent Flow.

BSTRACT Residence time distribution (RTD) of fluid and particles was measured in the holding tube of an aseptic processing system. A unique injector device instantaneously injected a large number of particles at one time without interruption of flow. A fraction collector device sampled exiting fluid at 1-sec intervals. Exiting particles at specific lapsed times from injection, were counted from those collected. RTD of fluid was determined by dye injection. RTD of fluid and particles under turbulent flow fitted a normal distribution function. Mean residence time of fluid was 0.975 times that calculated from volumetric flow rate with standard deviation ± 4.16%. Mean residence time of particles was 1.032 times that of the fluid, standard deviation was ± 4.62%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]