Residence time distribution:

In ideal reactors, we assume certain types of flows. In reality, the flows will be different from those
assumed patterns. To some extent, the non-ideality in the flow can be quantified using a function
called residence time distribution or RTD. This can be used to predict the conversion in the non-
ideal reactors.

If all the reactions are of first order, then RTD is sufficient to predict the conversion (or
concentrations of various species) correctly. If one or more reactions are of any other order, then
RTD based calculations will only give an approximate value of conversion/concentrations. But,
usually that is better than what one would get based on ideal reactors.

Three variables are used in analysis of residence time distribution.

1. Concentration of the tracer, given as C, and it is a function of time.

2. Residence time distribution, given as E, also a function of time
3. Cumulative RTD, i.e. Fraction of exit stream younger than age ‘t’, given as F curve.

The fraction of exit stream of age between t and t+dt is given by E dt. Note that the ‘fraction’ is
dimensionless, and hence E has dimensions of time-1, (s-1, min-1 etc)

t1

Fraction of exit stream younger than age t1 is given by F  t1    Edt

0

t2
The fraction of exit stream of age between t1 and t2 is given by t1
Edt . Note that equivalently the

fraction of exit stream of age between t1 and t2 is also given by F(t2)-F(t1).

When the input is an ideal pulse (Dirac delta function), then the concentration of the tracer at the
outlet is E curve. When the input is an ideal step (Heaviside step function), then the concentration
of the tracer at the exit is F curve.
We can also use other input functions for the tracer, but the resulting mathematics, to obtain the E
and F curves, are complex.


The total tracer at the outlet can be obtained using  Cdt . The mean residence time is obtained
0

 tCdt
using 0

t
 Cdt
0

t
A dimensionless time variable can be defined in terms of the mean residence time. i.e.   .
t
Naturally, the E variable can also be written in dimensionless form as E  t E

Note that Chemical Engineering Kinetics by J M Smith uses a slightly different notation. There,
time is given by  and dimensionless time is given by  . The ‘F’ curve is written as J, and ‘E’
dJ  
curve is written as the derivative of J, i.e. J '    E
d
Example:

Ideal PFR: Pulse input and pulse output, with a time lag V/Q
Ideal CSTR: For a step input, the concentration output (C, and in this case F) can be calculated
as follows.
At the input,
C = 0 for t < 0, and
C = C0 for t > 0
In  generation  out  accumulation
dC
QC0  0  QC  V
dt
 dC Q 1
Rearrange to get   C0  C    C0  C 
dt V t
dC 1 1
 C  C0
dt t t
This is in the form dy/dx + Py = Q
t
t
Integrating factor is e

t t t
dC 1 1
et
 e t C  e t C0
dt t t
 t
d Ce t  t
   e t C0
dt t
t t t
C0
Ce  e
t
t  C1  C0e  C1
t t
t
t
C  C0  C1e t

At time t = 0, C = 0. Therefore, C1 = -C0.

t
C
 1 e t
C0

At one mean residence time (t = t ), F = 63.1%

We can do the same analysis for pulse, but it is easier to obtain the relationship by remembering
that C curve for a step input is F, and derivative of F curve is E curve, which is the C curve for a
pulse input (pulse is the derivative of step function).
For an ideal pulse in an ideal CSTR, the output concentration is given by
C 1 t t
E  e
C0 t