The total sojourn time distribution in a stochastic compartmental model (Q912493)

The total time spent by both a single particle and by all the particles up to an instant in a particular compartment in a semi-Markov compartmental system is discussed. The stream of particles entering the system is a renewal process. The particles in the system behave independently of each other. A particle which leaves the system will not re-enter. It is shown, that a particle's progress through the system is a semi-Markov process. The approach is direct and the problem is treated with special reference to compartment models. The model considered is more realistic than others referred to in the sense that it may be used to generate residence time moments of simple systems with non-exponential referation times. Special cases of an irreversible system and the Markov compartmental model are also considered.