On the determination of axial dispersion coefficient in a batch oscillatory baffled column using laser induced fluorescence

We report a novel method of obtaining tracer concentration profiles and determining the axial dispersion coefficient in a batch oscillatory baffled column (OBC) utilising the laser induced fluorescence (LIF) technique. In LIF, a dye fluoresces when it is induced by a laser. By receiving the wavelength of the light emitted by the dye, the intensity of the dye can be converted into the concentration. This technique is non-intrusive and has a number of unique advantages in comparison with the traditional tracer method. One of such advantages is that it can be used to investigate the concentration profiles in different areas of the cell axially and radially, which has led to, for the first time, the quantitative determination of the radial dispersion in the OBC. In short, LIF is a viable and powerful tool in quantifying mixing and dispersion in both the OBC and other reactor systems. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.