A Modeling Approach to Reaction of Non-Newtonian Fluids in Tubular Reactor

The treatment of non-Newtonian fluids in tubular reactors is frequently encountered in industries, which may be studied by mathematical modeling. The modeling of endothermic reactions of non-Newtonian fluids in tubular reactors with radial dispersion has been done for Ostwald-de-Waele power law fluids. The coupled mass balance, heat balance and velocity equations have been dealt with. The model is solved using finite difference numerical methods. The effect of variation in the dimensionless parameters of the model has also been studied. In addition, the rheological parameter n also affects the reactor performance as well as the velocity profile. An increase in n leads to higher velocity distortion and a decrease in conversion and temperature.