In fluid mechanics, plug flow is a simple model of the velocity profile of a fluid flowing in a pipe. In plug flow, the velocity of the fluid is assumed to be constant across any cross-section of the pipe perpendicular to the axis of the pipe. The plug flow model assumes there is no boundary layer adjacent to the inner wall of the pipe.
The plug flow model has many practical applications. One example is in the design of chemical reactors. Essentially no back mixing is assumed with "plugs" of fluid passing through the reactor. This results in differential equations that need to be integrated to find the reactor conversion and outlet temperatures. Other simplifications used are perfect radial mixing and a homogeneous bed structure.
An advantage of the plug flow model is that no part of the solution of the problem can be perpetuated "upstream". This allows one to calculate the exact solution to the differential equation knowing only the initial conditions. No further iteration is required. Each "plug" can be solved independently provided the previous plug's state is known.
The flow model in which the velocity profile consists of the fully developed boundary layer is known as pipe flow. In laminar pipe flow, the velocity profile is parabolic.[1]
^Massey, Bernard; Ward-Smith, John (1999). "6.2 Steady laminar flow in circular pipes: The Hagen-Poiseuille law". Mechanics of fluids (7th ed.). Cheltenham: Thornes. ISBN 9780748740437.
In fluid mechanics, plugflow is a simple model of the velocity profile of a fluid flowing in a pipe. In plugflow, the velocity of the fluid is assumed...
The plugflow reactor model (PFR, sometimes called continuous tubular reactor, CTR, or piston flow reactors) is a model used to describe chemical reactions...
reactants mix in the whole volume) and pipes or tubes (for laminar flow reactors and plugflow reactors) Both types can be used as continuous reactors or batch...
little attention for 45 years; other models were developed such as the plugflow reactor model and the continuous stirred-tank reactor, and the concept...
results showing the sheath flow surrounding the plugflow in a vessel, the sheath flow size is not neglectible in the real blood flow velocity profile in a...
one reaction. The idealized plugflow reactor is an open system resembling a tube with no mixing in the direction of flow but perfect mixing perpendicular...
reaction, plugflow reactors depend on distance traveled in the reactor and its length. Since time and distance are related by velocity, plugflow reactors...
valve. The plugs in plug valves have one or more hollow passageways going sideways through the plug, so that fluid can flow through the plug when the valve...
yield stress, is crossed. This results in plugflow of partially crystalline lava. A familiar example of plugflow is toothpaste squeezed out of a toothpaste...
temperature. In flow the volumetric residence time is given by the ratio of the volume of the reactor and the overall flow rate, as most often, plugflow reactors...
The plug nozzle is a type of nozzle which includes a centerbody or plug around which the working fluid flows. Plug nozzles have applications in aircraft...
Fields of study Hydraulics Fluid Mechanics Types of fluid flow Open channel flowPlugflow Fluid properties Viscosity Fluid phenomena Head Çengel, Yunus...
system; an occluded vessel creates eddies in the normally laminar flow or plugflow blood currents. These eddies create abnormal fluid velocity gradients...
continuous phase and at low values it forms the disperse phase. In plug and slug flow, gas flows faster than the liquid and the liquid forms a 'slug' which becomes...
differentiated from diffusion in that it is caused by non-ideal flow patterns (i.e. deviations from plugflow) and is a macroscopic phenomenon, whereas diffusion...
reactant concentrations due to their superior heat transfer capacities. Plugflow reactors have the additional advantage of greater separation between reactants...
specially designed chemical reactor to achieve plugflow under laminar flow conditions. Achieving plugflow has previously been limited to either a large...
the vessel to create a semi circular flow channel. The heat transfer fluid passes through the channel in a plugflow fashion. A large reactor may use several...
ball valve, is a type of valve used for regulating flow in a pipeline, consisting of a movable plug or disc element and a stationary ring seat in a generally...
5-10 kgCOD/m3/d. Most common types of anaerobic digestion are liquid, plug-flow and solid-state type digesters. Examples of anaerobic digesters include:...
studied in a laminar flow reactor. Chemical reactor Laminar flowPlugflow reactor model Turbulence Laminar vs. turbulent flow LEE, J.C.; R.A. YETTER;...
analysed to identify the velocities of the plugflow like movement down the centre of the aorta. The plugflow velocities can be differentiated and integrated...