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Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.12, No.5, 599-609, 2004
Numerical study of solid-liquid two-phase flow in stirred tanks with Rushton impeller - (I) Formulation and simulation of flow field
Three-dimensional solid-liquid flow is mathematically formulated by means of the "two-fluid" approach and the two-phase k-epsilon-A(p) turbulence model. The turbulent fluctuation correlations appearing in the Reynolds time averaged governing equations are fully incorporated. The solid-liquid flow field and solid concentration distribution in baffled stirred tanks with a standard Rushton impeller are numerically simulated using an improved "inner-outer" iterative procedure. The flow pattern is identified via the velocity vector plots and a recirculation loop with higher solid concentration is observed in the central vicinity beneath the impeller. Comparison of the simulation with experimental data on the mean velocities and the turbulence quantities of the solid phase is made and quite reasonable agreement is obtained except for the impeller swept volume. The counterpart of liquid phase is presented as well. The predicted solid concentration distribution for three experimental cases with the average solid concentration up to 20% is also found to agree reasonably with the experimental results published in the literature.
Keywords:stirred tank;solid-liquid flow;two-fluid model;inner-outer iterative procedure;numerical simulation