Mean transit time and mean residence time for linear diffusion-convection-reaction transport system

Abstract

Characteristic times for transport processes in biological systems may be evaluated as mean transit times (MTTs) (for transit states) or mean residence times (MRT) (for steady states). It is shown in a general framework of a (linear) reaction-diffusion-convection equation that these two times are related. Analytical formulas are also derived to calculate moments of exit time distribution using solutions for a stationary state of the system.