Observations on fixed‐bed dispersion models: The role of the interstitial fluid

Models of the role of the interstitial fluid for dispersion in a fixed bed for very high Reynolds numbers are examined in detail to determine how well they fit the physical requirements of finite speed of signal propagation, no backmixing, conservation and correct asymptotic form. It is concluded that no linear continuous partial differential equation of finite order can satisfy all of these requirements as well as the cell model, although all models for sufficiently large axial space and time variables are very good approximations to the cell model. Some new hyperbolic models are presented and their solutions obtained and compared with the standard solutions. In present day design it appears that no model has an outstanding advantage over any other.