to main test page... an ideal TFR doesn't exist and at this point the discussion could be stopped, otherwise it gets philosophic.
But let us exceptionally be philosophic for controlling the consistency of our definitions !
An ideal TFR exhibits the macro-mixing property of 'totally not-back-mixing' (i.e. no axial dispersion). The fluid 'drops out of the reactor outlet in differential discs'. This is the same as the micro-mixing behaviour of segregation. But what, if you collect the fluid, - is it segregated ? No, it is like it was before! Segregation occurs only along the length of an ideal TFR, - but fictitious and not in reality! Suppose that we have a TFR with a slight axial dispersion. In this case we will realize the difference between a segregated and a not segregated fluid in the same way as for the CSTR (REM: we could model this reactor with a series of CSTRs). This reactor cannot produce a segregated fluid from the input of a molecular dispersed fluid.
Of course you could state that the area-method is valid for an ideal TFR, - but this holds only true because the (fictitious) macro-mixing behaviour (contacting pattern) of an ideal TFR exhibits (fictitious) segregation. And indeed you can apply the area-method to the RTD of an ideal TFR without error, - you should try that some time. What are you doing in that case ? (think of the STR as 'brother' of the TFR !!) What are you doing ?
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